Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim attack on cargo ship in Gulf of Aden

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for an attack on a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday, the first time since Israel struck the Yemeni port of Hodeidah last month. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that “The naval and missile units (…) carried out a joint military operation targeting the Groton ship in the Gulf of Aden, using several ballistic missiles“. The boat was targeted because “The company that owns the ship has decided to violate the ban on entry into the ports of occupied Palestine [Israël]”, the statement added.

British maritime safety agencies UKMTO and Ambrey said the ship had been hit twice. The second strike caused “minor damage” according to UKMTO, which is part of the British Navy. “All members of the ship’s crew are safe and sound.” and the ship “was diverted to a neighboring port”the agency said. Ambrey also reported two attacks, adding that “one of them could have caused a fire on board”without causing any injuries.

This is the first attack claimed by the Houthis since Israel carried out strikes on the port of Hodeidah on July 20, in response to a drone attack by Yemeni rebels that killed one person in Tel Aviv. Since November, the Houthis, backed by Iran, have carried out missile and drone attacks on commercial ships off the coast of Yemen.

They say they are targeting them because of their ties to Israel, and are acting in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, as part of the war between Israel and Hamas. The Houthis have attacked at least 88 commercial ships, according to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. In an attempt to stop these attacks, US and British forces have carried out strikes on rebel positions since January 12.