Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they fired missiles at two civilian ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Tuesday, one on a British ship and another on a U.S. vessel, the latest in a string of attacks they say were carried out by Israel in the war in Gaza. Despite repeated airstrikes by the United States and its allies patrolling the Red Sea, armed groups allied with Iran have expressed determination to continue carrying out attacks.
The ongoing activities are exacerbating growing tensions in the Middle East. It also disrupts world trade, as the Red Sea is a major shipping route for container ships.
Houthi spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sarria confirmed the attacks on the two ships and reiterated threats of more “self-defense” operations against “hostile” US and British targets.
The attack occurred west of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. Navy missiles hit the Barbados-flagged British cargo ship Morning Tide and the Marshall Islands-flagged U.S. cargo ship Star Nasia, Sarri said.
The Morning Tide’s owner, British shipping company Fradino, told Reuters the ship was sailing without problems but did not provide further information.
British maritime security company Ambrey said the British ship conducted evasive maneuvers and continued sailing. No injuries were reported.
transportation disruption
Since November 19, in addition to U.S. and British warships, the Houthis have launched dozens of missile, drone and ship attacks on merchant ships with ties to Israel.
The campaign has caused major trouble for global shipping lines, forcing them to suspend shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and reroute longer, more expensive journeys around southern Africa.
Israel’s War on Gaza
red sea attack
Houthi fighters have attacked ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel’s war on Gaza, disrupting shipping trade. The map shows attacks from November 19 to January 11. (Al Jazeera)
“Operations against Israeli ships or ships heading to occupied Palestinian ports will continue until the siege is lifted and the aggression against the Palestinian people of the Gaza Strip ceases,” Sarria said.
revenge
Last month, the United States and Britain began striking Houthi rebel targets in Yemen in retaliation.
The U.S. military confirmed its latest attack on two explosive Houthi naval drones on Monday, saying they posed an imminent threat to naval vessels and commercial vessels.
The U.S. government has now designated the Yemeni group as a “global terrorist.”
Faced with the threat of prolonged shipping disruptions, the EU plans to launch its own Red Sea naval mission by mid-February.
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2024-02-06 16:26:01
