Houthi-Backed Missile Attack Hits Merchant Vessel in Red Sea, Escalating Israel-Hamas Conflict
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, a merchant vessel in the southern Red Sea has been attacked by a land-based cruise missile fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen. No casualties were reported, but damage was inflicted on the vessel. The US is now discussing forming a multinational task force to protect commercial ships in the region.
A merchant vessel sailing in the southern Red Sea was attacked by a land-based cruise missile fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen, marking the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Pentagon confirmed that the ship, Motor Transport Strinda, was hit when it was approximately 60 nautical miles north of the Bab-al-Mandab, the narrow strait between Yemen and the northeast coast of Africa. The attack, carried out by Iranian-backed Houthi militants, resulted in damage and a fire on board the vessel, but fortunately, no casualties were reported.
This incident follows a series of attacks on ships in the region by the Houthi militants, who have expressed their support for Hamas in the conflict with Israel. Earlier on the same day, a commercial vessel sailing 15 nautical miles west of the port of Mocha, Yemen, was also targeted, causing damage and a fire, but no casualties were reported. Despite the absence of US Navy ships in the vicinity at the time of the attack, the destroyer USS Mason has since arrived at the scene to provide assistance. Both the Mason and the destroyer USS Carney have been engaged in intercepting Houthi missiles or drones targeting commercial ships or Israel in recent weeks.
In response to these escalating attacks, the United States is currently in discussions with other nations to form a multinational task force with the aim of safeguarding commercial ships in the region. US officials have emphasized that the country reserves the right to respond to Houthi attacks at a time and place it deems appropriate. The Houthi militants previously seized the Bahamian-flagged vessel Galaxy Leader in mid-November, claiming its alleged connection to Israel. The ship, along with its multinational crew, has been held in the port of Hodeida in Yemen ever since. The attack on the Motor Transport Strinda serves as a stark reminder of the volatile situation in the Red Sea and the surrounding region. As tensions continue to rise, international efforts to protect commercial ships are crucial to ensure the safety of maritime trade and prevent further escalation of the conflict.