Yemen’s Houthis asserted responsibility for firing two missiles at what they believed to be an American vessel, the Star Iris, in the Red Sea, renewing attacks on ships in the crucial trade route after a four-day pause.
Yahya Sarea, a spokesperson for the Houthi military, stated that their naval forces launched “several” anti-ship missiles at the presumed American vessel in the Red Sea.
He added that their actions were in solidarity with Palestinians and retaliation for US and UK airstrikes on Yemeni territory under their control.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency received a warning on Monday morning about an incident 40 nautical miles south of Yemen’s Mocha town, where two missiles struck a vessel, causing minor damage. The agency confirmed the safety of the vessel and crew, noting that the vessel was continuing to its next port of call.
Ambrey, a British maritime security firm, identified the targeted ship as a bulk carrier flagged under the Marshall Islands and owned by a Greek company. It was hit twice by Houthi missiles while transiting the Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
Despite the Houthis’ assertion that the targeted ship was American, information on www.marinetraffic.com indicated that it departed from Vila do Conde port in Brazil on Jan. 12 and was en route to Iran’s Bandar Imam Khomeini port.
Last week, Houthi leader Abdulmalik Al-Houthi accused US ships of using the Marshall Islands flag to avoid attacks.
In November, the Houthis seized a commercial vessel and launched numerous drones and ballistic missiles against commercial and naval ships in the Red Sea, effectively halting the passage of all ships linked to Israel or bound for Israel.
The Yemeni militia maintains that their attacks aim to pressure Israel into easing its blockade on Gaza, thereby facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
