A MISSILE strike by Yemen's Houthi forces struck a containership traveling through the Gulf of Aden, reported The Associated Press
A MISSILE strike by Yemen's Houthi forces struck a containership traveling through the Gulf of Aden, reported The Associated Press. This is likely the first counter attack since Israeli airstrikes targeted them.
The Houthis have offered no explanation for the two-week pause in their attacks on shipping through the Red Sea corridor, which have seen similar slowdowns since the assaults began in November over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
But the resumption comes after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, the Houthis' main benefactor.
The attack on Saturday happened some 225 kilometres (140 miles) southeast of Aden in a stretch of the Gulf of Aden that has seen numerous Houthi attacks previously.
A security official on the vessel said a missile struck the vessel, but 'no fires, water ingress or oil leaks have been observed,' according to a statement from the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre, a clearinghouse for information on attacks in the Mideast.
The private security firm Ambrey also reported the attack. Details reported by the two organisations suggested the vessel targeted was the Liberian-flagged container ship Groton, which had left Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Groton's Greek managers had no comment.
The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack Saturday. However, it can take the rebels hours or even days before they acknowledge an assault.
Houthis have targeted more than 70 vessels by firing missiles and drones in their campaign that have killed four sailors. They have seized one vessel and sunk two in the time since.
Other missiles and drones have been either intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or splashed down before reaching their targets.
The Houthis maintain that their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the United States or Britain as part of the rebels' campaign they say seeks to force an end to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the war - including some bound for Iran.
The Houthis also have launched drones and missiles toward Israel, including an attack July 19 that killed one person and wounded 10 others in Tel Aviv. Israel responded the next day with airstrikes on the Houthi-held port of Hodeida that hit fuel depots and electrical stations, killing and wounding a number of people, the Houthis say.
SeaNews Turkey
