Houthi Rebels' Alleged Attacks on International Ships Prompt Red Sea Risk Assessment

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed to have attacked a US Navy mobile base at sea, which was immediately rejected by a US defense official. The rebels, backed by Iran, have escalated their attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, targeting ships in response to Israel's offensive in Gaza against Hamas. The US Navy SEALs had previously conducted an operation seizing Iranian-made missile components believed to be bound for Yemen, resulting in two SEALs going missing and presumed dead. The rebels' attacks on commercial vessels have raised concerns about imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.