Trump claimed victory against the Houthis in fight over Red Sea shipping. Now they are sinking tankers again - Trump said in May that Houthis had ‘capitulated but, more importantly, we will take their word that they say they will not be blowing up ships anymore’.

The U.S. military spent hundreds of millions of dollars earlier this year in a six-week barrage intended to stop the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen from targeting ships in the Red Sea.

IDF confirms targets include 'Galaxy Leader' ship, hijacked by Houthis in November 2023; two missiles fired by Iran-backed group at Israel after airstrikes

The Israeli military says the strikes were a response to attacks by the Houthis, who later launched two missiles towards Israel and the occupied West Bank.

The US Embassy in Yemen said on Wednesday night on X: “After killing their comrades, sinking their ship and obstructing rescue efforts, Houthi terrorists have abducted several surviving Eternity C crew members. We demand their immediate and unconditional release.”

Israel has carried out its first strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen since the Israel-Iran ceasefire, attacking ports and a power plant around midnight local time Sunday night into Monday morning.

As Houthi attacks on regional shipping lanes escalate, Israel has urged the United States to resume military operations against the Iran-backed group and to help form a broader international coalition,