Houthi forces launch attack on US and British ships in the Red Sea
By Niu Zhanlin
On Tuesday (February 6), Yemen’s Houthi armed forces launched military operations in the Red Sea, targeting a US ship “Nasiya Star” and a British ship, the Morning Tide. The attacks used missile strikes and accurately hit the targets, according to a statement issued by Houthi armed forces spokesman Yahya Saraya.
The Houthis have been targeting commercial ships with drones and missiles in the Red Sea since mid-November last year. They claim that their operations in the Red Sea are aimed at supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and do not impact freedom of navigation in the area.
Yahya stated that Yemen will continue to block ships related to Israel until Israel stops its aggression against the Gaza Strip and lifts the siege.
The Morning Tide was attacked, causing minor damage to the wheelhouse windows, but the ship and crew are safe and continuing on its planned route. The other ship, Nasia Star, was not a US ship but a Greek ship flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. An explosion occurred about 50 to 60 meters away from the ship, with no casualties reported.
The United States and Britain have been launching strikes against Houthi targets in recent weeks in response to threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Mohammed Ali Houthi, a member of the Supreme Political Council of the Houthi armed forces, called these attacks a barbaric act of terrorism and a deliberate and unreasonable aggression.
The escalating military operations have heightened tensions in the Middle East and are posing challenges for global shipping companies. Hormuz Ali, a spokesperson for the UK Maritime Trade Organization, said that the recent events have forced companies to suspend routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and detour through southern Africa, making voyages longer and more expensive.
In response to the attacks, the US military struck against an anti-ship cruise missile site that the Houthis were preparing to use to attack ships in the Red Sea. The US military also carried out self-defense strikes against two Houthi armed unmanned surface vessels, claiming they posed a direct threat to US warships and commercial shipping in the area.
The US military’s Central Command stated that these actions were necessary to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer for US Navy vessels and commercial ships. The conflicting military operations in the Red Sea continue to cause uncertainty and unease for shipping companies and the international community.