Renewed Huthi attacks in the Red Sea – container ship hit
Published: Tuesday, Mar 5th 2024, 09:00
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The Iranian-backed Houthi militias have once again fired several anti-ship missiles in the Red Sea and hit a container ship. The "MSC SKY II" is in Swiss possession, the US military's regional command announced early on Tuesday morning. It was sailing under the Liberian flag.
The impact occurred on Monday afternoon in the Gulf of Aden. According to reports, there was damage but no injuries. The ship was able to continue its journey.
Earlier, another anti-ship missile fired by the Houthi rebels had crashed into the water in the southern Red Sea. No damage or injuries to ships had been reported. On Monday evening, the US military also carried out self-defense strikes against two cruise missiles that posed an "imminent threat" to ships in the region. The measure served "to protect the freedom of navigation", the regional command wrote in justification.
According to their own statements, the Houthi are acting in solidarity with the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip and want to force an end to the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip by firing on merchant ships. These are a reaction to the terrorist attack by Hamas and other extremist groups in the Israeli border region on October 7.
The sea route through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal is one of the most important trade routes in the world. Major shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe due to attacks by the Houthis, who are heavily armed by Iran.
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