DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched a missile attack on a Liberian-flagged container ship in the Red Sea, causing an explosion near the vessel. Fortunately, the attack did not result in any damage to the ship, according to authorities.
The incident was reported by the master of the vessel, who confirmed that there were no injuries resulting from the explosion on Monday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center later identified the vessel as the Pinocchio, which is managed by a Singaporean firm.
The attack, which involved two anti-ship ballistic missiles, was confirmed by the U.S. military’s Central Command. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack in a prerecorded statement, although he alleged that the targeted vessel was an American ship without providing any evidence to support the claim.
The Houthis have been conducting a series of attacks targeting vessels in the region, with the aim of putting pressure on ending the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. However, recent attacks by the group have shown little to no connection to the ongoing conflict.
This recent attack in the Red Sea follows a previous incident where a Houthi missile struck a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, resulting in the deaths of three crew members and the abandonment of the vessel by survivors.
The United States has responded to the Houthi attacks with airstrikes since January, but has not been successful in halting the rebel group’s assaults on shipping in the region. The attacks have disrupted trade routes through the Red Sea, which serves as a crucial waterway for energy and cargo shipments between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
In response to the recent attack, U.S. forces carried out six strikes, destroying an underwater Houthi drone and 18 anti-ship missiles, according to Central Command. The Houthi’s Al-Masirah satellite news channel reported further U.S. strikes in Yemen’s Houthi-held Hodeidah and Saada provinces.
The escalating tensions in the region due to these attacks highlight the ongoing challenges posed by the conflict involving the Houthis and their impact on maritime security and trade routes in the Red Sea.