Title: American Warship and Commercial Ships Attacked in Red Sea: Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Claim Responsibility
In a significant development, an American warship and multiple commercial ships fell prey to attacks in the Red Sea on Sunday. Yemen’s Houthi rebels took responsibility for targeting two ships they believed were linked to Israel, potentially signaling a major escalation in maritime attacks amidst the Israel-Hamas war.
Although the Pentagon confirmed the attacks, it refrained from providing specific details regarding the extent of the damage caused. According to the Houthi rebels, the first vessel was hit by a missile, while the second became a target for an armed drone in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Stressing their steadfastness, the Yemeni armed forces warned that Israeli ships would be considered legitimate targets if they violated this statement.
The two ships involved in the incident were identified as the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer and the Panamanian-flagged container ship Number 9. These attacks serve as part of a series of Houthi assaults on ships in the Red Sea, as well as missile strikes aimed at Israel.
During the attack, the U.S. Carney destroyer intercepted at least one drone, demonstrating the escalating nature of these hostilities. As the Israel-Hamas war continues to intensify, the attacks on global shipping have surged, heightening concerns about potential seaborne attacks.
The collapse of a truce agreement coupled with the resumption of Israeli airstrikes and a ground offensive have further raised the risk of increased maritime assaults.
This incident follows the Houthi rebels’ capture of a vehicle transport ship linked to Israel off the coast of Yemen in November. Previously, the United States responded to Houthi attacks in 2016 by launching Tomahawk cruise missiles on radar sites situated in Houthi-controlled territory.
As tensions in the region continue to soar, the world watches with bated breath, awaiting further updates on this latest maritime incident and the potential repercussions it may have on the ongoing conflict.
