Devendra Kumar
Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, leaving three crew members dead and several injured. The attack, which is the first fatal strike in a campaign by the group against Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, was launched from a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen and struck the True Confidence with significant damage. The US military’s Central Command reported that the anti-ship ballistic missile caused the vessel to catch fire, and survivors were forced to abandon ship. The US and Indian navies are on the scene assisting in rescue efforts.
According to Brigadier General Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, the rebels’ actions will only cease when the “siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted.” The Houthis have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters since November, including at least one vessel carrying cargo bound for Iran, their main benefactor. The True Confidence, owned by the Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital Management, was previously involved in a financing deal, and it is unclear why the Houthis targeted the ship, with some speculating that its financing arrangement may have been a factor.
In a separate incident, the Houthis launched an attack on the USS Carney, an American destroyer, on Tuesday. The attack involved bomb-carrying drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile, but was repelled by the US military. The Houthis have not provided an update on the damage they have suffered in the American-led strikes, which began in January and have killed at least 22 of their fighters, according to reports.
The Indian navy released a video showing its sailors battling a fire on the MSC Sky II, which was attacked by the Houthis in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. The ship, owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Co, was traveling from Singapore to Djibouti when it was struck by a Houthi missile, causing a small fire that was eventually extinguished.
In another incident, Iran announced the seizure of crude oil on the Advantage Sweet, citing a court order over US sanctions allegedly banning the importation of a rare Swedish medicine used to treat patients with epidermolysis bullosa. The seizure was widely condemned as “false pretenses” by Chevron, the owner of the vessel, which stated that the cargo was lost due to Iran’s illegal actions. The company has not had direct communication with Iran regarding the seizure and believes the cargo is now the responsibility of the Iranian government.
The US and its allies have been condemning the Houthi rebels’ attacks on civilian vessels, which have resulted in significant damage and loss of life. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, and their actions have been met with stern responses from the US and its allies. The situation in the region remains tense, with the US and its allies continuing to monitor the situation and provide support to affected parties.