Yemen’s Houthi rebels unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting three commercial ships in the Red Sea, intensifying maritime tensions linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict, reported Associated Press (AP).
The Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer was struck by a missile after the USS Carney, a US Navy destroyer, detected a ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The USS Carney swiftly responded, shooting down three drones during the prolonged assault, demonstrating a robust self-defense mechanism.
The Houthi rebels, known for their ties to Iran, claimed responsibility for two of the attacks, underlining the geopolitical complexities at play. This event has unfolded against the backdrop of heightened global concerns over Iran’s advancing nuclear programme, and the US wasted no time in explicitly pointing fingers at Tehran for enabling the Houthi attacks.
The US military’s Central Command issued a stern warning, vowing to “consider all appropriate responses.” The statement highlighted the attacks as a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security, emphasising the jeopardy faced by crews from various countries caught in the crossfire.
“These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security,” the US military’s Central Command said in a statement. “They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world.” It added: “We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran”.
The assault commenced in Houthi-controlled Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, around 9:15 a.m. local time. The USS Carney’s detection of the ballistic missile aimed at the Unity Explorer marked the beginning of a tense sequence of events. The subsequent drone shootdowns, coupled with the damage sustained by the Unity Explorer, underscore the intensity of the assault.
The incident underscores the evolving dynamics of conflicts in the Middle East, with maritime assets becoming increasingly vulnerable. As the international community watches closely, the US military’s condemnation of the attacks and its explicit mention of Iranian involvement set the stage for potential repercussions amid an already volatile geopolitical landscape