Israel Hamas war: American warships and merchant ships are attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea

The Houthi rebels, who claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack, said they would continue to attack Israeli ships “until Israeli aggression against our brothers in the Gaza Strip ceases.”

Published on April 12, 2023 07:43

Reading time: 1 min

The Houthis seized the Galaxy Leader cargo ship transiting the Red Sea after threatening to target all vessels owned or operated by Israeli companies. Photo published on November 20, 2023 by Houthi Media Center. (HOUTHIS MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT / MAXPPP)

According to Washington, a “direct threat” to maritime security. A US destroyer shot down three drones while providing assistance to merchant ships in the Red Sea on Sunday, December 3, the US Military Middle East Command (Centcom) said in a statement. communicated. Earlier, Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced they were launching an “operation” against “Israeli ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait,” a strategic waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Israel, in retaliation for the war they waged Ade connects, carried out Israeli army against Hamas.

>> Israel-Hamas war: Find all the latest news on the conflict live

According to Centcom, there were “four attacks on three separate merchant vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea” on Sunday. “The destroyer (…) USS Carney responded to the ships’ distress calls and provided assistance,” he said, and shot down three drones that were heading toward the warship during the day, he said.

According to Washington, attacks “sponsored by Iran”.

The destroyer detected a missile fired from a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen that landed near a Bahamas-flagged ship, the Unity Explorer. The cargo ship then reported minor damage from another missile that struck from a rebel-held area. The No. 9, a Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, reported being damaged by a missile from Yemen without reporting any casualties. The Sophie II of the same flag reported being hit without suffering significant damage.

“We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, although carried out by the Houthis in Yemen, are entirely financed by Iran,” Centcom said. “The United States will consider all appropriate responses in close coordination with its international allies and partners.” The Houthis, for their part, only mention the attack on two boats, the Unity Explorer and the number 9, one with a “missile” and the other was attacked “with a drone,” the press release said, after the buildings “rejected the warning.” “Messages” from the Houthis. The rebels would continue to attack Israeli ships “until Israeli aggression against our brothers in the Gaza Strip ceases,” they said.