American ships and jets were called into action on Tuesday to counter a 10-hour attack on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen – after the rebels fired missiles at cargo ships and vowed more attacks in “solidarity with the Palestinian people.” “
The destroyer USS Laboon and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group shot down a dozen one-way drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles and two land attack cruise missiles starting around 6:30 a.m. local time, The US Central Order was announced on X.
No damage or injuries were reported following the latest incursion by Tehran’s proxies.
The Houthis have stepped up attacks on commercial ships passing through the Red Sea – a major shipping artery – since Israel declared war on Hamas following the October 7 terror attack that killed about 1,200 people, including 33 Americans.
Also on Tuesday, the Houthis launched an air strike with naval missiles on a Liberian-flagged commercial ship bound for Pakistan from Saudi Arabia, rebel military spokesman Yahya Sare’e said in a statement.
The US Central Command announced that the military was able to shoot down a dozen one-way drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles and two land attack cruise missiles fired by the Houthis in 10 hours on Tuesday. X/@CENTCOM
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sare’e said the attack on the MSC United VIII took place after the crew “rejected” calls from its navy, along with “repeated fiery warning messages.”
“The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm their continued support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in line with their religious, moral and humanitarian duties,” Sare’e posted on X Tuesday afternoon.
Switzerland-based MSC Mediterranean Shipping also confirmed the attack, saying the crew alerted a nearby warship and “as instructed, engaged in evasive maneuvers.”
It is not clear what this movement is.
The Yemeni group also launched an attack on the MSC United VIII on Tuesday as it headed for Saudi Arabia. MSC Mediterranean Shipping’s X/Yahya Sare’e said the crew informed nearby coalition warships of the attack and “as directed, engaged in evasive maneuvers.” dpa alliance/image via Getty Images
None of the crew members reported any injuries and a “thorough assessment” of the vessel is underway, the company said in a statement. It is not clear what damage was done to the ship.
“Our first priority remains protecting the lives and safety of our seafarers, and until their safety is ensured, MSC will continue to divert vessels booked for Suez transit through the Cape of Good Hope,” he added.
MSC Mediterranean Shipping became the latest major firm to suspend operations in the Red Sea following the Houthi attack along with BP, AP Moller-Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM.
In November, armed Houthi rebels seized the commercial ship Galaxy Leader.
Horrific footage released by the Iran-backed group shows gunmen disembarking from a helicopter and storming the ship in the southern Red Sea on Nov. 19.
Footage shows armed Houthi rebels seizing the Galaxy Leader commercial shi[inNovember.HouthiMovementviaGettyImages
The Bahamas-flagged car carrier was then taken to the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah in northern Yemen.
The ship’s crew consists of Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Filipino, Mexican and Romanian nationals.
Earlier this month, the ship’s owner, Galaxy Maritime, said the crew had been allowed “moderate contact” with their families while various countries pressed for their release.
The White House has previously accused Iran of fueling Houthi attacks by providing the group with drones, missiles and tactical intelligence. AFP via Getty Images
Meanwhile, the United States and at least nine other countries established a naval task force last week to secure the Red Sea — through which 10% of all global trade passes.
If Houthi attacks cause the death of US service members, the Biden administration may be forced to take stronger action, according to Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former adviser to the secretary of state on the Middle East.
“If we were attacked directly and Americans died, then there would be a much more severe response,” he told Bloomberg.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has also warned that “anyone who takes action against us will be a potential target.”
“There will be no immunity for anyone,” he told Knesset members, Bloomberg reports.
The White House said Iran had aided the Houthi attacks by providing the group with drones, missiles and tactical intelligence.
“We know that Iran is deeply involved in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement last week.
“This is consistent with Iran’s long-term material support and encouragement of destabilizing Houthi actions in the region.”
Iran has denied involvement.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
