Conflicts - Houthis attack merchant ships again
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels are intensifying their attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. The rebels from Yemen once again attacked several freighters in the sea area.
A US Navy destroyer came to the aid of the ships and shot down several drones. The US military announced that it was still unclear whether the destroyer "USS Carney" itself had been the target of one of the attempted drone attacks. The Houthis themselves claimed responsibility for attacks on two ships and once again threatened further attacks on Israeli freighters.
One of the world's most important shipping routes to and from the Suez Canal in Egypt runs past the Yemeni coast. This canal connects the Mediterranean with the Red Sea and thus offers the shortest sea route from Asia to Europe. Around ten percent of all world trade passes through the Red Sea.
The threat of the Houthis
The Houthi rebels in Yemen had previously threatened to attack "all ships" with a connection to Israel - in response to Israel's war against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. All ships flying the Israeli flag, owned by Israeli companies or operated by Israeli companies were a target, according to Houthi military spokesman Jahja Sari. He repeated this threat on Sunday and explained that the rebels had attacked two Israeli ships in the Bab al-Mandab strait with a missile and a drone. The ships in question were the "Unity Explorer" and "Number 9".
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari emphasized that the two ships had no connection to the state of Israel. One of the ships had been severely damaged and was in distress at sea. It was in danger of sinking.
The series of attacks
The responsible regional command of the US military, Centcom, announced that there had been four attacks on three different merchant ships sailing in the Red Sea on Sunday. The naval destroyer "USS Carney", which was patrolling there, responded to distress calls from the freighters and provided assistance.
The ship "Unity Exlorer", which flies the flag of the Bahamas and is British-owned, had been the target of two attacks. The missiles were fired both times from areas in Yemen controlled by the Houthi rebels. One missile struck near the ship and another hit the freighter. There was slight damage.
The US military also announced that another missile from Houthi areas had hit the freighter "Number 9", which flies the Panamanian flag and has owners from Bermuda and the UK. The ship was damaged. In addition, a ship named "Sophie II", which flies the flag of Panama, reported a missile hit. In this case, the Americans did not provide details on the origin of the missile.
According to the military, the US destroyer intercepted several drones launched from Houthi areas during the series of attacks - one of which flew towards the "USS Carney" itself. It is not possible at this stage to assess whether the naval destroyer was the target. "The US ship was not damaged and there were no casualties," the statement continued.
Fear of escalation
However, the US military lamented: "These attacks pose a direct threat to international trade and maritime security." They endangered the lives of international crews. "We also have every reason to believe that while these attacks are perpetrated by the Houthis in Yemen, they are fully supported by Iran." The USA would now discuss all appropriate measures in coordination with international partners.
There have already been other incidents of this kind in the Red Sea in recent weeks. The US destroyer "USS Carney" recently shot down several cruise missiles and drones which, according to the US, were launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The rebels also captured a cargo ship in mid-November, part of which belongs to a British-Israeli businessman. The Houthis took over large parts of Yemen in 2014 and now control large areas in the north, including the capital Sanaa.
Since the start of the Gaza war, attacks by Iran-affiliated groups on US forces in the Middle East have increased. This is fueling fears of an even greater escalation in the region.
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Source: www.stern.de
