Aden (South24) 

The Iran-backed Houthi militia announced on Tuesday that they had targeted three American supply ships as well as two American destroyers in the Gulf of Aden. 

The Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said that "their forces used missiles and drones to target the ships, which were accompanied by the two destroyers." 

For its part, the US Central Command confirmed on Wednesday morning that the destroyers - USS Stockdale and USS O’Kane   - had repelled Houthi attacks on the US-flagged ships in the Gulf of Aden. 

In another development, the Houthi militia said last Monday that it had targeted an area in the Israeli city of Yavneh with a drone. 

Last Sunday, the Houthis announced the implementation of a joint military operation with Iraqi factions loyal to Iran, targeting a “vital target” in Israel with several drones. 

On the other hand, the Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee indicated that their air force intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it entered Israeli airspace. 

In a separate context, the UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, presented his final briefing of the year to the UN Security Council, stating that “the roadmap in Yemen is still possible,” and stressing the need to address the economic crisis urgently. 

Happening now: UN Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, briefs the #SecurityCouncil on recent developments and peace efforts in #Yemen.

Watch live: https://t.co/8ORESEZ7NA

— @OSE_Yemen (@OSE_Yemen) December 11, 2024

Grundberg also expressed his concern about the ongoing campaign of arbitrary arrests carried out by the Houthis, adding: "We continue to seek the release of all detainees in Yemen as part of a comprehensive deal." 

While the British Ambassador to the United Nations, Barbara Woodward, said: "We regret that we are unable to secure release of the UN staff held by the Houthis." 

In another context, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) affiliate, Southern National Assembly, strongly condemned the Houthis' execution of a number of Southern prisoners in Lahj last Saturday. 

The assembly called on the international community to condemn this crime and hold the perpetrators accountable. 

But neither Woodward nor Grundberg addressed the incident, which the STC's national assembly described as a "barbaric act" that contravened humanitarian and international laws.