In a recent escalation of attacks on commercial vessels in Yemen, the Houthi rebels claim to have targeted a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, the Transworld Navigator, and the USS Eisenhower, a US aircraft carrier deployed in the region due to the war on Gaza. The military spokesman for the Houthis, Yahya Saree, made a televised announcement on Saturday, stating that the Transworld Navigator was hit by ballistic missiles in the Arabian Sea. He justified the attack by accusing the ship's owning company of violating the ban on entering Israeli ports.

This attack on the Transworld Navigator follows the sinking of another vessel, the MV Tutor, earlier this week, indicating a new escalation in the Houthi campaign against commercial vessels in vital maritime corridors. Saree also claimed that the USS Eisenhower was targeted using ballistic and cruise missiles. While the Houthi spokesman declared the operation successful, an unnamed US official has refuted the claim, calling it "incorrect."

The timing of these attacks is significant, as reports suggest that the USS Eisenhower has been ordered to return home after more than eight months of deployment. The vessel has been replaced by another aircraft carrier in the Pacific. The Houthi announcement coincided with this development, raising questions about the motive behind the attacks.

Additionally, an attack on a vessel was reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Friday. The vessel was attacked 126 nautical miles east of Aden in Yemen, with the master of the ship reporting explosions in the vicinity of the vessel. Fortunately, the crew has been reported safe.

The Houthi rebels have pledged to continue their military operations, stating that their actions are in support of Palestinians and will only cease when the siege of Gaza is lifted. Since the start of the war, the group has launched more than 60 attacks, including sinking two commercial ships, seizing another, and targeting dozens more. In a previous incident in March, the Houthis set the Barbados-flagged True Confidence on fire, resulting in the loss of three lives.

In response to Houthi aggression, the US and United Kingdom militaries have carried out air raids in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen to weaken the group's military capabilities. However, these attacks have not deterred the rebels from continuing their operations.

As tensions persist in the region, the international community remains concerned about the safety and security of commercial vessels operating in the area. Countering Houthi aggression and finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen have become urgent priorities for regional and global powers.

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