The Houthi movement in Yemen says it has launched a missile attack on a US merchant ship in the Red Sea in response to US strikes on Saada province.
The attackers identified the ship as the KOI, which they said was operated by the US. Maritime security firm Ambrey stated that the ship, travelling south of the Yemeni port of Aden, had reported an explosion on board, but it did not name the vessel. Meanwhile, the US launched fresh air strikes in Yemen, targeting 10 drones that were reportedly preparing to be launched.
KOI is a Liberian-flagged container ship operated by British company Oceonix Services. The same company’s fleet also includes the oil tanker Marlin Luanda damaged by a missile on Saturday.
The Houthis have declared all Israeli, US and UK ships legitimate targets since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and after the US and the UK launched strikes on Houthi missile positions, which both countries said was an attempt to protect trade in the region.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed on Wednesday that the movement’s armed forces attacked a US merchant ship called KOI with “several appropriate naval missiles.”
All American and British ships in the Red and Arabian Seas are legitimate targets for the Yemeni Armed Forces as long as the American-British aggression against our country continues.
However, a Trade Winds source alleged that the claim was “fake” and that a sick crew member was actually taken off the ship as a medical evacuation.
US Central Command announced that 10 drones preparing to launch in Yemen posed a threat to US merchant vessels and warships in the region. All 10 were destroyed along with a ground control station for the Houthi drones, according to the command. The US added that one of its warships shot down three Iranian drones and a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have jeopardised international trade, raising concerns over maritime supplies.
