Yemeni naval and coastguard forces have destroyed three boats belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi militia in the Red Sea after clashes with Houthi fighters, the Armed Forces Media Centre said.
The boats were loaded with explosives and equipped to carry out hostile operations in Yemeni territorial waters, the armed forces said.
A naval forces source said one of the targeted boats was carrying equipment used to launch drones and was destroyed by a missile, killing five Houthi fighters on board. Their bodies remained at sea, the source added.
The source said naval forces subsequently spotted two other Houthi boats heading towards the targeted vessel in an attempt to rescue those aboard. One was targeted and destroyed, killing and wounding people on board, according to the statement.
A third boat later arrived in the area in another rescue attempt and was hit by heavy fire, the source said.
The source said the boats were booby-trapped and loaded with explosives, while one was being used to manage Houthi drone operations.
The three boats were equipped to carry out hostile operations in the Red Sea, and the naval and coast guard forces thwarted the planned operation and destroyed the vessels before they could carry out their missions, the statement said.
