Houthis claim attacks on Israeli, UK vessels, US warship in Red Sea over past 72 hours

Houthi forces in Yemen say they have launched rockets and drones targeting a British ship and two Israeli vessels that were heading to Israeli ports, and also at a number of US frigates in the Red Sea.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree says in a televised statement that the operations took place during the last 72 hours.

There is no immediate Israeli or US confirmation of the attacks, though two British maritime bodies reported attacks on vessels near Yemen overnight.

The statement comes hours after after the Israel Defense Forces said hostile aircraft intrusion sirens that sounded in Israel’s southernmost city of Eilat and the surrounding area earlier this afternoon were false alarms.

Since November, the Iran-backed group, a US-designated terror organization, has attacked ships in the Red Sea, saying it wants to force Israel to end its offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas.