Overview

• Yemen's Houthi rebels have escalated their attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, targeting ships with missiles and drones in a campaign that has disrupted key global shipping routes.
• The US and coalition forces have responded with defensive airstrikes, destroying Houthi missiles and drones, including an underwater drone, to protect freedom of navigation and international waters.
• The attacks are part of the Houthis' campaign of solidarity with Hamas against the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, with the group vowing to ramp up attacks during Ramadan.
• Recent Houthi attacks have included targeting a Liberian-flagged container ship and a Singaporean-owned vessel, both of which escaped damage thanks to US and coalition defensive actions.
• Despite ongoing US and coalition efforts to degrade the Houthis' strike capability, the attacks on shipping continue, posing a significant threat to international trade through the Red Sea.