JERUSALEM, Nov 19 (Portal) – Israel said on Sunday that Yemen’s Houthis had hijacked a British and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea, describing the incident as an “Iranian act of terrorism” with implications for international maritime security.
The Houthis said they had hijacked a ship in the area but described it as Israeli. “We treat the ship’s crew in accordance with Islamic principles and values,” a spokesman for the group said, without referring to the Israeli account.
The Houthis, an ally of Tehran, have fired long-range missiles and drone volleys at Israel in solidarity with Palestinian Hamas militants fighting in the Gaza Strip.
Last week, the Houthi leader said his forces would carry out further attacks on Israel and could attack Israeli ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
A US defense official said: “We are aware of the situation and are monitoring it closely.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said a ship – which it did not name – had been seized. “There were no Israelis on the ship,” and Israel was not involved in its ownership or operation, it added.
“This is another Iranian act of terrorism that represents an escalation of Iran’s belligerent posture against the citizens of the free world, with simultaneous international implications for the security of global shipping lanes.”
Earlier Sunday, the Houthis said any ships owned or operated by Israeli companies or flying the Israeli flag could be attacked.
Writing by Dan Williams; Additional reporting by Mohammed Alghobari in Aden; Edited by Jane Merriman, Hugh Lawson and Andrew Heavens
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