Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility on Wednesday for targeting an launching a failed attack on a U.S. Navy destroyer and a commercial ship in the Red Sea. The attack on the warship, however, reportedly occurred nearly two days prior and saw the vessel successfully intercepting the incoming missile.

The Houthis’ recent announcement comes amid a reduction in their attacks on shipping, which have historically disrupted trade through a critical corridor leading to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.

Although the Houthis have not explicitly acknowledged this slowdown, the U.S. military attributes it to successful airstrikes and interceptions that have reportedly diminished the rebels’ weapon supplies.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated that the rebels targeted the USS Mason with missiles and launched an attack on a commercial ship named Destiny.

The USS Mason, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has been operating in the Red Sea as part of a U.S.-led coalition aimed at preventing Houthi attacks on shipping. On Monday night, the Mason “successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile launched by Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen over the Red Sea,” according to U.S. Central Command.

The U.S. Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet has not yet commented on the reported attack on the commercial vessel Destiny.

The Houthis claim that their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are intended to pressure Israel to cease its military actions against Hamas in Gaza. This conflict began after Hamas-led terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages.

Since November, the Houthis have conducted more than 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel, and sunk another, as reported by the U.S. Maritime Administration. These actions have led to a decline in shipping traffic through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden due to the heightened threat.

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