Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen announced that they targeted a Norwegian oil ship heading to Israel, which did not respond to warnings.
Houthis’ Military Spokesperson Yahya Seri stated in his written statement that many ships were prevented from passing through the Red Sea in the last two days.
Seri noted that a Norwegian ship carrying oil and heading to Israel, which was indifferent to all calls and warnings, was hit by a naval missile.
Stating that the attack in question was carried out in response to the blockade and oppression of the Palestinian people in Gaza, Seri repeated that all ships going to Israeli ports from the Red Sea will be targeted until the food and medicine needs of the Gaza Strip are met.
The ship targeted in the Red Sea is safe
In the statement made on the social media account of the British Maritime Agency, it was stated that a ship was targeted in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen.
Without giving details, the statement noted that military officials delivered aid to the damaged ship and that the ship and its crew were “safe”.
On the other hand, Israeli state television KAN also confirmed that the targeted ship went to Israel.
In the news of KAN, “The Norwegian ship ‘Strinda’, which was hit by a missile fired by the Houthis off the coast of Yemen, was expected to arrive at Usdud (Ashdod) port on January 4.” statements were included.
Houthis target Israeli ships in the Red Sea
Abdulmelik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis in Yemen, threatened in his television speech on November 14 that they could target Israeli ships in the Red Sea.
Yahya Seri, the military spokesman of the Houthis, announced in a written statement on his X social media account on November 19 that they would target any Israeli-flagged ship in response to Israel’s attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Then, the Houthis launched a UAV and missile attack on two Israeli ships named “Unity Explorer” and “Number Nine” in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Israeli shipping company ZIM also stated in a statement on November 29 that its ships would not use the Suez Canal in Egypt, citing the security situation in the Oman Sea and the Red Sea.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on the X social media platform on December 4 that 4 attacks were carried out on 3 commercial ships in international territorial waters in the south of the Red Sea.
In the statement, it was stated that the US Navy destroyer “USS Carney” in the south of the Red Sea responded to the call for help from commercial ships, and that the destroyer shot down 3 UAVs that were advancing towards it while helping the ships.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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