Conflicts & War

Yemeni Houthi rebels claim new attack on US ship in Red Sea

Sanaa, Jan 29 (EFE).- Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed on Monday that they attacked an American military ship on Sunday in the Gulf of Aden, in the southern Red Sea, as tension continues to escalate between the United States and Iranian-backed Shia militant group.

“Yemeni naval forces have launched a suitable naval missile towards the US Naval ‘Lwis B Puller’ vessel in the gulf of Aden,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sare’e posted on the social media platform X.

The spokesperson said the vessel was providing logistic for the American forces “that participate in the aggression against our country.”

“The targeting operation comes within military procedures that the armed forces are carrying out protecting beloved Yemen and in confirmation of the decision of supporting the oppressed people of Palestine,” Sare’e said.

The spokesperson did not say whether the missile hit the target in the attack, which has not yet been confirmed by the US.

The Iranian-backed group has said it would prevent Israeli navigation in the Arab and Red seas, threatening that they would continue to do so until the aggression against Palestinians is stopped and the siege is lifted on the Gaza strip.

The Houthis claimed the attack after launching a missile attack sparking a fire on the oil tanker ‘Marlin Luanda’ while it was sailing through the Gulf of Aden.

The owner company, Trafigura, a multinational raw materials firm based in Singapore, announced on Sunday that the crew members, all of whom are safe, successfully extinguished the fire.

However, like other shippers, Trafigura says it assesses the risks of any journey involving passage through the Red Sea.

The tension in the region, crucial for international trade, coincides with the escalating conflict spreading further north after attacks by pro-Iranian Iraqi militias against bases with US military presence in Syria and Iraq.

The latest incident occurred on Sunday, resulting in the death of three American soldiers and injuries to 34 others, including eight seriously.

The attack took place at a base located on the border between Syria and Jordan, marking the first deadly attack on US troops since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in October.

US President Joe Biden pledged that those responsible would be held accountable, stating it would happen “at a time and in a manner” chosen by the US. EFE

ha-fa/ssk

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