Analysts have said rising tensions could derail efforts to broker a ceasefire between the Houthis and a Saudi-backed military coalition which mobilised to topple them in 2015.A UN-brokered truce in April 2022 brought a sharp reduction in hostilities, and while it had long expired, Yemen’s war has since largely remained on hold.The Houthis began targeting Red Sea shipping in November, saying they were hitting Israel-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, ruled by another Iran-backed armed group, Hamas.US and UK forces responded with strikes against the Houthis, who have since declared American and British interests to be legitimate targets as well.Separately, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces carried out a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile that “prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea” early Sunday.CENTCOM had earlier launched strikes against six other Houthi anti-ship missiles, and on Friday the US military said its forces had shot down eight drones in and near Yemen.
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