1 of 1 FILE: Houthi rebels positioned on a cargo ship in the Red Sea, in a photo published on November 20, 2023 Photo: Houthi via Portal FILE: Houthi rebels positioned on a cargo ship in the Red Sea, in a photo published on November 20 November 2023 Photo: Houthi via Portal
On Tuesday (11) a merchant ship was attacked off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea. U.S. defense officials said the ship was hit by a cruise missile fired by a Yemeni rebel group.
The US blamed the Houthi rebels for launching the rocket. The attack left no injuries but caused a fire and damage to the ship.
A United States Navy destroyer on scene assisted the crew of the attacked ship.
According to the Associated Press, private intelligence agencies said the attack took place near the Bab elMandeb Strait, which separates East Africa from the Arabian Peninsula.
The attack was recorded in the context of increasing threats by the Houthis against commercial shipping in the region due to the war between Israel and Hamas.
On Saturday (9) the Houthis said they would attack all ships heading to Israel, regardless of nationality.
As part of an Iranbacked “Axis of Resistance,” the Houthis banded together in support of Hamas after Israel’s invasion. The rebels already claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli territory in October.
The group had not commented on Monday's attack until the publication of this report.