Houthis Claim Responsibility for Red Sea Ship Attacks – US and UK Vessels Targeted

Newseense February 7, 2024

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Houthis Claim Responsibility for Red Sea Ship Attacks - US and UK Vessels Targeted

In a concerning development, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have asserted responsibility for launching missiles at two ships in the Red Sea, one American and one British vessel. The initial attack occurred in the southern part of the Red Sea, west of the Yemeni port of Hodeida, causing minor damage to the targeted vessel.

A second ship, identified as a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned vessel en route from the US to India, was attacked off Yemen’s southern port city of Aden on the same day, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Reports indicate that the first attack caused minor damages to the vessel, while the details of the second attack, which involved a British-owned cargo ship named ‘Morning Tide,’ are still under investigation. It remains unclear whether the explosion resulted from a sea mine or a rocket.

The US military’s Central Command released a statement on the incident, revealing that the Houthis fired three missiles at the ‘Star Nasia,’ reporting minor damages but no injuries. Simultaneously, three missiles were aimed at the ‘Morning Tide.’ The statement detailed the timeline of the attacks and confirmed that the US Navy’s USS Laboon intercepted and shot down a third anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

Iranian-Backed Houthi Terrorists conduct Multiple Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Attacks in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden:

On Feb. 6, from approximately 1:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Arabian Standard Time) Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles… pic.twitter.com/lrffP3vZb8
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 7, 2024

The Houthis, an armed group originating from Yemen’s northwestern Saada province, have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea with drones and missiles since October last year. They claim these actions are in “acts of solidarity with Palestinians” amid the Israel-Hamas war.

The situation raises concerns about the safety of maritime routes in the region and the potential escalation of tensions. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.

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