Yemen-backed Houthi rebels target British oil ship: report

Yemen-backed Houthi rebels have once again targeted a sea ship. In his latest televised address, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sariye claimed responsibility for the attack on the "British oil ship Andromeda Star" in the Red Sea. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the ship has suffered minor damage but is continuing its journey without any hindrance. Sariya also claimed to have shot down the MQ-9 Reaper drone operated by the US Army. He said the drone was shot down while conducting hostile missions in the airspace of Yemen's Saada Governorate.

The US military has not yet commented on the incident, but CBS News has confirmed the crash of an MQ-9 inside Yemen.

This is the third US drone shot down by the Houthis since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza, with previous incidents occurring in November and February.

Houthi rebels have been attacking commercial ships in the area in support of Palestinians fighting Israel in the Gaza War. Houthi militants have launched repeated drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden since November, forcing ships sending goods on longer and more expensive voyages around southern Africa.