Houthis claim third attack in 48 hours on U.S. ships in Red Sea

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

The Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility for their third attack on American warships in 48 hours, following U.S. strikes on the Iran-backed rebels that sparked widespread protests in Houthi-controlled areas.

Background:

The Houthis have previously targeted ships in the Red Sea since the start of the Gaza war, citing solidarity with Palestinians.
The rebels had temporarily ceased attacks after a January ceasefire but threatened to escalate once again in response to Israel’s aid blockade on Gaza.
The U.S. launched its first strikes on Yemen under President Donald Trump after the Houthis threatened to target Israeli shipping.

About the Red Sea:

The Red Sea (Erythraean Sea) is an inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia.
The Red Sea is a crucial shipping route, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Arabian Sea, making it a vital waterway for global trade.
It connects to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal to the north and to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to the south.
The sea is underlain by the Red Sea Rift which is part of the Great Rift Valley.
The six countries bordering the Red Sea are: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti.
Islands include the Dahlak Archipelago, the Farasan Islands, and Zubair Archipelago.
Key ports of the Red Sea are Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Port Sudan (Sudan), Djibouti Port (Djibouti), Aqaba Port (Jordan).