Yemen's Houthis announce joint operation with Iraqi militia against Israel

Yemen's Houthi group said on Wednesday they launched a joint drone attack with an Iraqi militia on an Israeli ship docked in the Israeli port of Haifa.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed in a televised statement on their al-Masirah TV that "several drones" targeted the Israeli-owned cargo ship MSC Manzanillo, in a joint operation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. The operation achieved "complete success," Sarea added.

"We will continue these joint military operations with the Iraqi Islamic Resistance in support of the Palestinian people," Sarea added, linking the attack to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He demanded an end to "Israeli aggression" and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza.

 Israeli authorities have not yet commented on the alleged Houthi attack.

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported on Wednesday a missile exploded near a merchant vessel south of Yemen's port city of Aden. The report indicated no crew injuries and the vessel continued its journey.

 Since November 2023, the Houthis have escalated drone and missile attacks on shipping lanes, claiming them as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.