Source: AFP
A missile fired Friday by Yemen’s Houthi rebels at a ship in the Red Sea caused no damage, as they threatened to expand their harassment campaign that has disrupted global trade.
Iran-backed rebels have launched dozens of missile and drone strikes against ships in the commercially vital sea route over the past four months.
They say they are targeting ships linked to Israel as part of an “axis of resistance” of Iran’s allies and proxies in protest of Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
On Friday, the UK Royal Navy’s Marine Trade Operations and security firm Ambrey said the ship was damaged after the strike west of Yemen’s rebel-held port of Hodeidah in the early hours of Friday.
However, a daylight inspection showed the vessel had not been hit by the missile and was not damaged, the UKMTO and Ambrey said in a later briefing.
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Ambrey said “the vessel was listed as being bound to Israel but had changed ownership in February 2024”, adding that it was heading from Singapore to the Suez Canal with armed guards.
The same tanker was nearly hit by a missile southeast of the Yemeni port of Aden the day before, Ambrey said.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, claiming the ship was Israeli property. They identified the vessel as Pacific 01.
They also carried out a separate drone attack on a US destroyer in the Red Sea, adding that the strike “achieved its objectives”. There was no immediate confirmation from Washington and AFP could not independently verify the Houthi claims.
Extended campaign
A flurry of Houthi attacks, including a deadly attack on a bulk carrier last week and the sinking of a ship carrying thousands of tonnes of fertilizer, have prompted retaliatory raids by US and British forces.
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On Thursday, the US military said it had destroyed nine anti-ship ballistic missiles and two drones after the Houthis fired on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Such exchanges have become common in the region, sending shipping insurance costs skyrocketing and prompting many companies to bypass the southern tip of Africa.
Late Thursday, rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Huthi said the Houthis would expand their attacks on ships that take the longest route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.
“We are moving, with the grace and help of Almighty God, to prevent them from even passing through the Indian Ocean and from South Africa,” he said in a speech broadcast by the rebel Al-Masirah television channel.
“We have started implementing our related businesses,” he added.
Twelve “targeting operations” using 58 missiles were carried out against commercial and military ships this week in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, the Houthi leader said.
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The Houthis reiterated the warning in Friday’s statement, warning βall Israeli ships bound for or coming from ports in occupied Palestine not to pass through South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.
“They will be a legitimate target for our armed forces,” said Houthi military spokesman Yahya al-Shari.
Source: AFP