Houthi rebels shoot numerous rockets at a cargo ship.
For several months now, Houthis backed by Iran have been disrupting shipping activity in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, supposedly in support of Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group's struggles against Israel. These rebels unleashed a rocket that sparked a fire on board an unidentified freighter.
In a recent occurrence, a freighter was targeted by a Houthi-launched rocket just off the coast of Yemen and subsequently caught fire. Security firm Ambrey in London reported that the rocket hit the bow of the freighter. The blaze was extinguished, and another missile missed its target. Furthermore, the ship sustained damage from gunfire coming from small boats, prompting it to alter its course in an attempt to reach a safe harbor.
The UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) also reported the incident. The British group received a report from a captain stating that a ship experienced a fire 70 nautical miles southwest of Aden, Yemen, due to a mysterious projectile strike at the ship's rear.
Houthis, a Shi'a insurgent group that governs parts of Yemen, have been wreaking havoc on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November. By interfering with international shipping, they seek to assist the Palestinians in their ongoing fight with Israel and Hamas in Gaza. These rebels consider themselves part of the self-proclaimed "Axis of Resistance," along with the Lebanese militia group Hezbollah.
As a reaction, the United States and Britain have retaliated with targeted strikes on the Houthis. Additionally, two different international naval coalitions endeavor to protect shipping routes near Yemen. The German Navy made a temporary appearance in this region with the "Hessen" frigate as part of the EU maritime mission "Aspides."
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The Houthi-instigated attack on a freighter off Yemen's coast has once again highlighted the Middle East conflict's impact on international shipping, as the Red Sea continues to be a hotspot of disruptions. The Houthis, who are allies of Iran, have been using their position in Yemen to hinder maritime traffic, claiming to support Hamas in its struggle against Israel.
