In a shocking incident on Wednesday, a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted a bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden, resulting in three reported fatalities and at least four injuries, according to the US military. The vessel, identified as the Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned M/V True Confidence, faced significant damage after being struck by an anti-ship ballistic missile. This marks the first instance of fatalities resulting from Houthi attacks on merchant vessels in the vital Red Sea trade route.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the casualties and damage, stating that the crew had abandoned the ship, and coalition warships were responding to the situation. The attack on the True Confidence is the fifth instance in two days where the Iran-backed Houthis launched anti-ship ballistic missiles. CENTCOM expressed concern over these “reckless attacks” by the Houthis, emphasizing their impact on global trade and the loss of international seafarers’ lives.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed on social media that the True Confidence was targeted with multiple missiles after the crew rejected warning messages from the rebels. In response to the escalating threat, CENTCOM revealed that it had conducted strikes against two unmanned aerial vehicles in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, citing an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships.
The United States and Britain have been actively targeting Houthi positions in Yemen since January, responding to previous ship attacks. Despite these efforts, the rebels continue to pose a threat to merchant vessels. The British embassy in Sanaa lamented the loss of life aboard the True Confidence, attributing it to the Houthis’ reckless missile firings at international shipping.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron vowed to uphold freedom of navigation and take decisive actions against such attacks. The Houthi rebels initiated their ship-targeting campaign in November, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Their declared intention to strike Israeli, British, and American ships, as well as those heading to Israeli ports, has led to disruptions in the vital trade route off Yemen’s shores.
The recent incident adds to a series of Houthi attacks, including the sinking of the Belize-flagged, Lebanese-operated ship, Rubymar, on Saturday. This vessel, carrying 21,000 metric tonnes of ammonium phosphate sulfate fertilizer, sank after sustaining damage from a Houthi missile on February 18. Major shipping firms have responded by suspending passage through the Red Sea, which typically facilitates around 12 percent of global trade.
As international authorities assess the evolving situation, concerns are mounting over the safety of maritime routes and the imperative need for coordinated efforts to curb Houthi aggression and ensure the security of global trade.
Also read: https://newseense.com/indias-assertive-stance-on-russian-oil-procurement-gains-global-recognition/
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