<span style="color: #222222;">Yemen-backed Houthi rebels fired ballistic missiles at commercial ships, connected to Israeli shipping giant Abraham Ungar, in the Red Sea on Sunday. No casualties have been reported as of yet. The attack marks the first time when ships have been targeted in West Asia since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. </span><br />''<br />''A United States military spokesperson said these attacks represented a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security, adding that the lives of international crews representing multiple countries were put at risk. Houthi military spokesperson General Yahya Saree accepted responsibility for the attacks. He said the first vessel was hit by a missile and the second by a drone while in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. <br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile the US shot down three drones, reportedly fired by Yemeni rebels. The superpower called out Iran in the wake of the attack. The Houthis have launched a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, as well as launching drones and missiles targeting Israel. The US has stopped short of saying its Navy ships were targeted but has said Houthi drones have headed toward the ships and have been shot down in self defence.</span><br />