(AFP, Washington, 3rd) U.S. Army Central Command (US Central Command) pointed out that many merchant ships were targeted by Yemeni rebels while sailing in the Red Sea today, and a U.S. destroyer rushed to rescue shot down several drones.
The Iran-backed Yemeni Shiite militant group Huthi has launched a series of drone and missile attacks on Israel in recent weeks, seizing a cargo ship last month. The youth movement said it had targeted two merchant ships, and the latest attack marked a significant increase in threats to shipping in the region.
A statement from the U.S. Central Command stated: “Today, three merchant ships operating in the southern international waters of the Red Sea encountered four attacks.”
The statement said, “The Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS Carney received a distress signal from a merchant ship and provided support.” It shot down three drones flying towards the warship that day.
The Kani detected a missile launched from the Yemeni region controlled by the youth movement. The missile landed in the waters near the Bahamas-flagged M/V Unity Explorer cargo ship. The cargo ship later reported that it had been hit by another missile from the rebels. A missile attack was launched from the controlled area and suffered minor damage.
The Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier M/V Number 9 also reported being damaged by a missile attack launched by Yemen, but there were no casualties; another Panamanian-flagged merchant ship M/V Sophie II was also attacked, but The damage was not serious.
U.S. Central Command said the attacks “represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security.”
The U.S. Central Command also said: “We also have every reason to believe that although these attacks were launched by the Yemen youth movement, they were completely connived by Iran. The United States will fully coordinate with international allies and partners and consider taking all appropriate response measures.”
The youth movement earlier stated in a statement on social media that they launched attacks against the Unity Explorer and Number 9, saying that these commercial ships belong to Israel and that attacks on Israeli ships will continue “until Israel attacks our operations in Gaza.” The aggression carried out by the unswerving brothers of the Strip has ceased.” (Translator: Xu Ruicheng/Verification: Liu Wenyu)
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2023-12-04 02:43:33
