Houthis Strike 3 Commercial Ships in Red Sea
Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired missiles and drones that struck three commercial ships in international waters in the Red Sea on Sunday, in an attack that lasted over seven hours and marked an escalation linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
A US Navy destroyer, the USS Carney, went to the assistance of the three vessels and shot down three drones headed in their direction, the US military said. Each of the commercial ships suffered minor damage and no casualties in the attack, which began shortly after 9 am and continued until about 4:30 pm.
The Iran-backed Houthis claimed two of the attacks, saying they had targeted two Israeli vessels, the Unity Explorer and the Number 9.
“The Yemeni armed forces continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip stops,” Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari later said the vessels had no connection to Israel.
The Unity Explorer, a Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier, is owned and managed by a British firm among whose directors is Dan David Ungar, son of Israeli shipping billionaire Abraham Ungar. The Number 9, a Panama-flagged container ship, is also owned and managed by a British firm. The third vessel struck was the Panama-flagged bulk carrier the Sophie II.
The strikes marked an escalation in a series of maritime attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
The US military said in a statement that such attacks are a threat to global shipping.
“These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world,” the statement said.
“We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran. The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.”
