Events

The UAE is pushing for U.S. military action and wants the U.S. to re-designate the IRGC militants-backed Houthis as an FTO according to a Yemeni official backed by Abu Dhabi. But Saudi Arabia is not

U.S. military official: “We are aware of reports and can confirm that on Dec. 18, at approximately 9 am(Sanaa time) the M/V SWAN ATLANTIC was attacked by multiple projectiles and that the USS Carney responded to the distress call in Southern Red Sea.”

UKMTO has received a report of an incident in the vicinity of the Bab El Mandeb, 30nm South of port Mokha, Yemen. Master reports a possible explosion in the water 2NM off one of the vessels quarters. Authorities are investigating.

Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority: 55 ships have been redirected through the Cape of Good Hope since November

@SECDEF will announce Operation Prosperity Guardian next week, an international effort to protect Red Sea shipping, US military official tells. Today, USS Carney downed 14 Houthi drones while HMS Diamond downed 1, all part of same wave

HMS Diamond, one of the Navy's most advanced warships, swiftly intercepted and neutralised a potential threat to merchant vessels in the Red Sea using a Sea Viper missile.

French shipping company CMA CGM announces they too will halt transit of all container shipments through Red Sea

CENTCOM:In the early morning hours of December 16 (Sanna time) the US Arliegh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS CARNEY (DDG 64), operating in the Red Sea, successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems launched as a drone wave from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The UAS were assessed to be one-way attack drones and were shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries. Regional Red Sea partners were alerted to the threat

MSC to divert shipping away from Suez Canal after Red Sea attack

Reuters: The Houthis announce the implementation of a military operation against "sensitive targets" in southern Israel with a large number of drones

US Central Command: A drone launched from Houthi areas targeted a ship in the Red Sea

At approximately 0700, Dec. 15 (Sanaa time),  Houthi forces contacted the Motor Vessel MSC ALANYA, a Liberian flagged vessel that was traveling north in the southern part of the Red Sea and threatened to attack it. The Houthis directed the vessel to turn around and proceed south. Although there were no U.S. ships in the area, U.S. forces maintained direct communications with the vessel, and the ALANYA continued north.  It is believed to be traveling safely at this time. At approximately 0900, Dec. 15 (Sanaa time), a UAV launched from Houthi held territory struck the Liberian flagged Motor Vessel AL JASRAH as it was travelling south in the Red Sea. The AL JASRAH immediately broadcast a mayday signal that said the crew was fighting a fire caused by the attack. The fire has since been extinguished and the crew has since determined that no further assistance is needed

Maersk announces the temporary cessation of all container shipping operations through the Red Sea

The Saudi Foreign Minister calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

USS Mason en route to assist Liberian flagged ship hit by Houthi missile in Bab Al Mandab Strait; fire onboard MV Palladium 3. According to a senior U.S. defense official there have been 3 incidents in same vicinity of Bab Al Mandab strait near Yemen in past 24 hours

Yemeni Foreign Minister to Al Arabiya: It is like declaring a regional and international war if there is severe damage to ships

EU: A Spanish warship approaches a hijacked merchant ship

British maritime security company Ambrey: Targeting a Swiss-owned container ship flying the Liberian flag

Associated Press: A second cargo ship was hit by a ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

A projectile launched by Houthis struck the Liberia flagged, German-owned, Al Jasrah ship on Friday causing a fire but no injuries, a U.S. defense official said

AP, quoting an American official: A second cargo ship was hit by a ballistic missile launched from Yemen

Another incident near Mokha: UKMTO are investigating a report of an incident in the vicinity of the Bab El Mandeb, 30nm South West of port Mokha, Yemen. Authorities are investigating

Liberian-flagged ship was attacked in the Red Sea

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations has received a report that a vessel has been impacted by an unknown object which has resulted in a fire onboard. There are no reported casualties. Incident is 60nm South West of Hodeidh, Yemen and authorities are investigating.

UKMTO has received a report of a small white craft with a black top with 10 persons onboard declaring themselves to be Yemeni authorities and ordering a vessel to alter course towards Yemen, in the vicinity of the Bab El Mandeb, 50m North of port Mokha, Yemen.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations has received a report of an incident in the vicinity of 60nm SW of HODEIDA. Authorities investigating.

UKMTO is investigating a report of an incident in the vicinity of the Bab El Mandeb, 50nm North of port Mokha, Yemen. Authorities are investigating

US to announce maritime Task Force Friday to stop Houthis, reports @BarakRavid Arrival of commercial ships to the port of Eilat in southern Israel has almost completely stopped. Ships heading to Israel from Asia now take expensive route around Africa

Midday Dec. 14 (Sanaa time), a ballistic missile was fired from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen toward the international shipping lane north of the Bab-el-Mandeb. There were no injuries or damage. Following the missile launch, the M/V Maersk Gibraltar was hailed by the Houthis, who threatened further missile attacks. The M/V Maersk Gibraltar is a Hong Kong-flagged cargo container vessel

Sullivan: What the Houthis are doing does not constitute a threat to Israel but to the international community