Two ships were hit Tuesday by attacks off the city of Hodeida in Yemen, controlled by pro-Iranian Houthi rebels, in a regional context marked by the escalation of Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
A first ship was hit by a drone 64 nautical miles from the city, according to the British Maritime Safety Agency (UKMTO). “Port ballast tank number 6 has been punctured,” and the ship is heading to its next port of call, said the agency, which earlier reported four explosions near this ship.
Another attack occurred a few hours later 97 nautical miles from Hodeida. “A ship was attacked by a missile. [Il] suffered damage. All crew members are safe and sound,” the UKMTO said.
The attacks were not immediately claimed.
The Houthis, who, like Hamas and Hezbollah, are supported by Iran, have for months been carrying out attacks against Israel and ships linked to them in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Their military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, promised Tuesday to continue supporting the “Palestinian and Lebanese people until the end of the aggression [israélienne] “.
The Israeli army carried out strikes in Hodeida on Sunday, which left five people dead and 57 injured according to the Houthis, and intensified its military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.