Houthi Rebels Target Israeli Cargo Ship in Red Sea, Threaten US Warships and Israeli Ports
In a recent escalation of tensions, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed to have targeted an Israeli cargo ship, the MSC Silver, in the Gulf of Aden near the entrance to the Red Sea. The rebels used missiles to attack the vessel, according to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea. Additionally, they have reportedly used drones to target several United States warships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, as well as sites in the southern Israeli resort town of Eilat.
While the Houthis claim that the targeted ship was Israeli, British maritime security firm Ambrey has identified it as a Liberia-flagged vessel headed for Somalia. However, the ship’s operator, Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd, has ties to Israel and regularly calls at Israeli ports. Zim is a publicly held Israeli international cargo shipping company based in Israel.
This is not the first time the Houthi rebels have attacked vessels with commercial ties to the US, the United Kingdom, and Israel. Despite recent strikes on Houthi military sites in Yemen by the US and UK, the rebels have vowed to continue targeting ships linked to Israel until Israeli forces cease their operations in Gaza.
Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam emphasized that there is no danger to international or European navigation as long as there are no aggressive operations. He called for an urgent and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza for humanitarian reasons.
In a separate incident, two US officials confirmed that the Houthis had shot down a US military Mq-9 drone near Yemen. This marks the second time in recent months that the rebels have targeted a US drone. The drone, manufactured by General Atomics, was reportedly hit near the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. The officials did not disclose whether the drone was in international airspace at the time of the attack.
The Houthi rebels’ claim of shooting down the drone near Hodeidah has been verified by the officials. The city, located on the Red Sea, has become a focal point of the conflict between the rebels and US forces.
On Monday, the Houthis also announced that they had attacked the UK-registered Rubymar cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was reportedly at risk of sinking, further escalating their campaign to disrupt global shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the international community is closely monitoring the situation. The targeting of ships and drones by the Houthi rebels poses a significant threat to maritime security and raises concerns about the safety of international navigation in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. Efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza remain a top priority for many, as the humanitarian crisis in the region worsens.
