DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A ship traveling through the Red Sea came under repeated missile fire Friday in a likely attack launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, authorities said, the latest targeting the crucial maritime route.
Five missiles landed near the vessel as it traveled off the coast of the rebel-held port city of Hodeida in Yemen, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said.
The missiles landed near the vessel, but caused no damage, the UKTMO added.
The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack. However, it can take them hours or even days before they acknowledge an assault.
The rebels have targeted more than 60 vessels by firing missiles and drones in their campaign that has killed a total of four sailors. They seized one vessel and sank two since November. A U.S.-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January, with a series of strikes on May 30 killing at least 16 people and wounding 42 others, the rebels say.
The Houthis maintain that their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the United States or Britain. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the Israel-Hamas war — including some bound for Iran.
Late on Tuesday, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the group was responsible for an attack Monday on the Liberian-flagged, Greek-managed container ship MSC Sarah V. On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed they used a new hypersonic ballistic missile in the assault, which targeted a ship farther away than nearly all of the previous assaults they’ve launched in the Gulf of Aden.
The U.S. military’s Central Command also said it destroyed a Houthi radar site. Another attack Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden was suspected to have been carried out by the Houthis, though they have yet to claim it. A Houthi attack also happened Thursday in the Red Sea.
On Sunday, five missiles struck near a ship in the Red Sea, raising concerns about a possible Houthi attack. The incident occurred near the coast of Saudi Arabia, where the ship was reportedly targeted by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The missiles were launched from Yemen, where the Houthi rebels have been engaged in a long-standing conflict with the Saudi-led coalition. This latest attack comes amidst escalating tensions in the region, with the United States and other countries expressing concern over the Houthi’s aggressive actions.
The ship targeted in the attack was reportedly a commercial vessel, although specific details about the incident have not been released. The Saudi-led coalition has condemned the attack, calling it a “dangerous escalation” that threatens the security of international shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
The Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was in retaliation for the ongoing blockade imposed by the Saudi-led coalition on Yemen. The blockade has severely restricted the flow of food, fuel, and other essential supplies into Yemen, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen to allow for the delivery of much-needed aid to the civilian population. The international community has also urged all parties involved in the conflict to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The recent missile attack near the ship in the Red Sea serves as a stark reminder of the volatile situation in Yemen and the broader Middle East region. The ongoing conflict has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and has left millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance.
As tensions continue to escalate, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize diplomacy and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community must also work together to ensure the safety and security of shipping lanes in the Red Sea and prevent further attacks on commercial vessels.
In conclusion, the recent missile attack near a ship in the Red Sea highlights the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen. The international community must come together to address the root causes of the crisis and work towards a lasting peace that will benefit all parties involved.
