Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a series of unsuccessful attacks on two US Navy destroyers with drones and missiles on Monday, the US Department of Defense said on Tuesday.

What happened?

According to a statement from PentagonThe Iran-backed Houthis deployed a combination of at least eight drones, five ballistic missiles and three anti-ship cruise missiles aimed at the USS Stockdale and USS Spruance, which were sailing in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Despite the intensity of the offensive, both ships escaped unscathed and no injuries were reported, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

Meanwhile, in the hours before the Pentagon’s announcement on Tuesday, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, released a pre-recorded statement claiming the rebels had attacked two US destroyers in the Red Sea using ballistic missiles and drones.

The impact of the attacks in the Red Sea

The strait, a critical passage connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, typically sees an estimated $1 trillion worth of cargo annually. Houthi forces have stepped up attacks in this region in response to escalating conflicts between Israel and Hamas last October and Israel’s ongoing ground operations in Lebanon.

The Houthis have insisted that the attacks will continue as long as the wars continue. The sustained attack on shipping in the Red Sea region has already led to a significant reduction in traffic, creating a gridlock in global trade.

Recent UN findings suggest the Houthis may be using the sea passage for financial gain, extorting up to $180 million a month from shipping companies for safe passage.

The Houthis have yet to respond directly to the UN claims, but are believed to have issued threats to the shippers, suggesting a refusal to pay could have consequences with at least one vessel previously threatened to be attacked.

Similar incidents

The latest incident comes as a merchant ship in the Red Sea near the rebel-held port city of Hodeida was attacked on Tuesday, although no injuries were reported on board.

Multiple explosions rocked the ship in what was suspected to be an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. However, the assault did not immediately cause any reported damage, according to the British military’s UK Maritime Operations Center (UKMTO).

Since the Gaza conflict broke out in October 2023, the Houthis have targeted more than 90 merchant ships with missiles and drones.

This ongoing campaign resulted in the seizure of one ship, the sinking of two others, and the death of four sailors.

The US-led coalition in the region was able to intercept some missiles and drones, preventing the weapons from reaching their intended targets.

While the Houthis claim their targets are ships associated with Israel, the US or Britain, several ships with no apparent connection to the conflict, including those bound for Iran, have also been attacked.

The Houthi threat also extends beyond the Red Sea. Since mid-October, US forces have launched airstrikes against Houthi positions, including a deployment of B-2 bombers to dismantle Houthi underground bunkers.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.