Houthis Say Attacks in Red Sea Are Response to US Actions Last Week

US warships fend off drone attacks in the Red Sea. (Twitter/@AndyVermaut)

JAKARTA - The Houthi armed group said the series of missiles and drones fired into the Red Sea last Tuesday were a response to the United States' attack on the group last week.

The United States military sank three Houthi ships in the Red Sea, killing all on board, on December 31 after being attacked first.

This is the first time Uncle Sam's country has targeted members of the Houthi rebel group, since tensions increased in the region in October.

In a statement, Houthi group spokesman Yahya Saree said Tuesday's attack was a "coordinated attack" targeting American ships that were "assisting" Israel in the Red Sea.

Saree said the operation involved a "massive deployment" of ballistic and naval missiles, along with drones in response to what he described as a "treacherous attack" by US forces on Houthi naval units last week.

"The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm that they will not hesitate to deal appropriately with all hostile threats to the legitimate defense rights of our country, our people and our nation," explained Saree in his statement, reported by CNN, January 11.

The group has assured "its commitment to maintaining maritime traffic" in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, with the exception of ships connected to Israel, Saree said.

It is known that the Houthi group has vowed to continue attacks in the Red Sea until Israel stops the conflict in Gaza, saying they will attack US warships if the militia group is attacked in Yemen.

Most recently, US and British forces shot down 21 drones and missiles fired by the Houthis on Tuesday towards the international shipping lanes of the Red Sea, US CENTCOM said, adding that this was the 26th Houthi attack since November 19.

The United States and other countries last month launched 'Operation Prosperity Guardian', to protect civilian ships on one of the world's most important trade routes.