Yemen's Houthi attack another ship in Red Sea
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
In the Red Sea, Yemeni Houthi rebels have carried out another attack on a foreign vessel. This time, the target was a tanker flying the flag of the Cayman Islands, as reported by Associated Press.
A representative of the U.S. military stated that the attack on the Swan Atlantic tanker, which carries chemicals and petroleum products, is the latest in a series of assaults on vessels in the Red Sea and its strategically vital Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
The responsibility for these attacks has been claimed by Houthi rebels in Yemen, supported by Iran. They assert that their target is ships associated with Israel, in support of Palestinian militants.
According to a U.S. official, the vessel was attacked with several projectiles at around 9 a.m. local time.
The U.S. military ship USS Carney, responsible for securing vessels in the region, responded to the incident, said an official speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the attack.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which monitors maritime routes in the Middle East, also reported the incident in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, near the Yemeni port of Mocha, and warned ships in the area to exercise caution.
The statement mentioned a "possible explosion in the water" approximately 2 nautical miles from the vessel.
Houthi attacks on trade ships in the Red Sea
Since November of this year, Houthi attacks on trade ships with connections to Israel have continued in the Red Sea.
On December 16, a British destroyer intercepted a Sea Viper missile launched by Houthi rebels, aiming to attack a trade ship in the Red Sea.
Earlier last week, a guided missile from a Houthi ground-based launcher hit the commercial tanker Strinda. The ship was seriously damaged, and a fire broke out on board. The vessel, flying the flag of Norway, was transporting oil and biofuels from Malaysia to Venice.
Previously, the Houthis had shot down a U.S. military MQ-9 drone near the coast of Yemen.
Additionally, the United States has stated that it is considering the possibility of striking the Houthis in response to their attacks on trade ships.
