US Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen After Rebel Attack on Cargo Ship
The United States launched a new strike on Houthi targets in Yemen following an attack on a cargo ship, escalating tensions in the region and impacting global trade routes.
The United States carried out a new strike on Houthi targets in Yemen, following an attack by the rebel group on a Malta-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea. The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for targeting the Zografia ship with naval missiles as it was heading to Israel. The attack resulted in a "direct hit," but there were no reports of injuries, and the vessel continued its transit after being hit. In response to the escalating tensions, the US military launched a new strike against the Houthis, destroying four Houthi ballistic missiles that were prepared to launch and presented an imminent threat to merchant and US Navy ships in the region.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨: Reports have emerged that US and British warplanes have conducted airstrikes on Houthi in Yemen, with the support of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
— Ahmed Haji Omer▪️ (@ethiomuslimsmed) January 12, 2024
The situation in Yemen has been a source of great concern, America once again put itself to war for Israel! pic.twitter.com/DulK2ffTPL
This marked the third assault on the Iran-backed group in recent days. The Iran-backed Houthis have been accused of targeting Israel-linked commercial vessels in the region, disrupting maritime trade routes. The group has also threatened to expand the range of targets of its attacks in the Red Sea to include US ships in response to American and British strikes on its sites in Yemen. As a result of the security concerns in the region, several companies, including Shell, Qatar Energy, BP, and Mitsui OSK Lines, have diverted their energy and other cargo shipments to avoid the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
This has led to an increasing disruption to global trade, with the potential for further escalation and impact on liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. The situation in the Red Sea is extremely delicate, with warnings of potential war between Iran and America in Yemen. Qatar's prime minister has cautioned that military intervention will not bring an end to the crisis and could instead lead to further escalation. On Monday, Bloomberg reported that at least five LNG vessels used by Qatar had stopped on their way to the Red Sea, highlighting the impact of the tensions on trade routes in the region.
