Houthi Ansar Allah Movement Claims Attack On American Destroyer In Red Sea; Houthi Defense Minister: We Will Punish Washington And London For 'Transgressions;' Make Red, Arabian Seas A 'Merciless Fence Of Fire'

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On January 31, 2024, "the armed forces" of the Yemeni Houthi Ansar Allah movement claimed responsibility for firing several "appropriate naval missiles" at the American destroyer USS Greeley in the Red Sea.[1] Houthi armed forces spokesman Brigadier-General Yahya Saree' declared that all American and British warships in the Red and Arabian Seas "are within the target bank of our forces." Houthi Defense Minister Major-General Muhammad Nasser Al-Atifi warned that, "the strategy of taking revenge and punishment for Washington and London’s transgressions is coming." He also threatened, "We will make the Red and Arabian seas a merciless fence of fire."

Houthi "Armed Forces:" All American And British Warships In The Red And Arabian Seas Are Within Our Target Bank

On January 31, 2024, on his Telegram and his X accounts, in both Arabic and in English, Houthi armed forces spokesman Saree' claimed responsibility for an attack on the American destroyer the USS Greeley, declaring that it was carried out "in support and solidarity with our brothers in the Gaza Strip, and as a response to the American-British aggression on our country."

The spokesman further posted that, "The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm that all American and British warships in the Red and Arabian Seas that are participating in the aggression against our country are within the target bank of our forces and will be targeted according to the legitimate right to defend our country, our people, and our nation… Yemeni Armed Forces persist with their military operations: enforcing a blockade on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian seas until a ceasefire is achieved, and food and medicine are allowed in to the besieged Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."[2]

On January 31, 2024, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that on Jan. 30, at approximately 11:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired one anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea. The missile was shot down by the USS Gravely (DDG 107). There were no injuries or damage reported.[3]

Houthi Defense Minister: "We Will Make The Red And Arabian Seas A Merciless Fence Of Fire"

On January 30, 2024, the Houthi Ansar Allah movement's official website reported that on the same day, in the city of Al-Hudaydah in southwestern Yemen, Houthi Defense Minister Al-Atifi convened "an exceptional meeting" with the leaders of the naval forces and coastal defense. During the meeting, the minister asserted that, "The Yemeni people and their armed forces will not be intimidated by internationally prohibited American missiles and bombs, nor will they be deterred by fleets, aircraft carriers, and destroyers from fulfilling their religious, national, humanitarian, and ethical duties toward the Palestinian people and their resistance in Gaza, the West Bank, and Al-Quds."

He further stated that, "America is fundamentally a terrorist state, a sponsor of terrorism and terrorists," and warned that Yemen would take revenge on the U.S. and Britain for their "transgressions," and that "every aspect that hurts and pains them will be targeted, making them regret their actions." Al-Atifi also said that Yemen is prepared for "long-term confrontation with the forces of tyranny," and threatened, "We will make the Red and Arabian seas a merciless fence of fire for the Zionists and those with them, and we will not allow them to be an artery that feeds their brutality and criminality against our people in Palestine." He declared that he considers the Red Sea to be, "geographically and geo-strategically, an extension of Yemeni geography," and added that "its security, stability, and navigation are neither the responsibility of the Americans nor the British."[4]

The Houthis have previously claimed responsibility for several attacks on U.S. forces in the Red Sea, most recently on January 29, 2024, for a missile attack on a U.S. naval vessel in the Gulf of Aden, although CENTCOM has not confirmed that the attack took place.[5]