The Iran-backed Houthi terrorists of Yemen have claimed responsibility for a series of aggressive actions against civilian ships and U.S. destroyers in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
On Monday, they stated that they had launched missile attacks on three civilian ships, namely the Largo Desert, Mechela, and Minerva Lisa, along with drone attacks on two U.S. destroyers in the Red Sea.
Reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Tuesday indicated significant damage to a cargo ship off the coast of Yemen as a result of these attacks.
The Houthi militants did not specify the exact timing of these assaults nor did they identify the targeted U.S. destroyers.
The Largo Desert is an oil and chemicals tanker flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, while the Mechela is believed to be a container ship flagged from Portugal. The Minerva Lisa is identified as a crude oil tanker sailing under the flag of Liberia.
The Houthis have asserted that their actions are in support of Palestinians in Gaza and are aimed at ships associated with Israel and the United States. However, it is noteworthy that they have targeted vessels that do not meet these criteria.
Iranian state media quoted Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree characterizing the Largo Desert as an “American” vessel and the Mechela as an “Israeli” ship, without providing further details about why they targeted the Minerva Lisa.
Tracking experts specializing in maritime activities have noted that there seems to be no ship named Mechela or anything similar operating in either the Red Sea or Indian Ocean.
Furthermore, a Portuguese ship with a name resembling Michela is currently navigating through the Atlantic Ocean en route to Brazil.
Saree claimed that drone “hits” on two American destroyers in the Red Sea were “accurate.” U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that there was a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) launch on Saturday which resulted in no injuries or damage, as well as a drone launch from Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen on Sunday.
CENTCOM stated that their assessment deemed this uncrewed aerial system (UAS) launch on Sunday to be an imminent threat to merchant vessels in the region and it was subsequently destroyed.
“This continued malign and reckless behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” CENTCOM expressed concern about this pattern but offered no further remark on Houthi claims.
Additionally, UKMTO reported another suspected Houthi attack on Tuesday which inflicted significant damage upon a civilian vessel in the southern Red Sea near Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah – an area where several previous Houthi attacks on shipping have occurred.
According to information from maritime security firm Ambrey, radio signals were received from this stricken vessel indicating damage to its cargo hold and water ingress.
The location matched up with a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier named Laax managed by Greece, which was en route to United Arab Emirates (UAE).
UKMTO announced that “the crew are reported safe and vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.”
These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about maritime security in this region due to aggressive actions by Iranian-backed Houthi militants posing threats not only to commercial shipping but also endangering regional stability.
3 Comments
Was, at any time, a counterattack by the American Armed Forces? Sorry, I had to ask.
It is time that the USA send word to Iran and to Yemen that further attacks will be met legally with response to terrorism, actions will be without regard to sovereign boundaries as those countries are aiding and abetting this terrorist activity.
The notification needs to include an offer of military support to irradiate the terrorists.
We can deploy nuclear warheads as ligth as 0.3kt. Identify several Houthi concentrations, and deal with them. Danger has increased because they no longer believe that we would.