Merchant
1/3 | The attack on the Barbados-flagged M/V True Confidence was the first time a Houthi attack resulted in loss of life. The attack, which occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time, killed three crew members and injured at least four others. Photo courtesy of U.S. Central Command/UPI | license photo
March 6 (UPI) — The U.S. military said the Houthis attacked a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, killing three people and injuring at least four others, marking the first time Iranian proxy militias have claimed human life in recent attacks.
The Houthis attacked the Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned M/V True Confidence at around 11:30 a.m. local time, killing three people and injuring at least four others, including three who are in critical condition. Published by U.S. Central Command. statementThis was reported by a crew member. Six people were reported to have been injured.
Centcom said the ship sustained “significant damage” and the crew was forced to abandon ship.
UK Maritime Trade Operations Center the ship said It was “reported to have been attacked and sustained damage” approximately 54 nautical miles southwest of Aden, Yemen.
A ship in the area reported hearing a “loud bang” and then seeing “a large plume of smoke.”
CENTCOM said an anti-ship ballistic missile was used in the attack.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, falsely stating that the True Confidence was a US vessel.
The extremists said they had no intention of harming the crews of ships belonging to “enemy states.”
“We ask you not to cross,” Houthi spokesman Mohammed al-Buhaiti said. statement About X. “America and Britain’s insistence on continuing genocide” GazaPopular hunger and the invasion of Yemen led to this dangerous escalation. ”
The Houthi militants said: another statement They claimed to have attacked the ship after the crew refused to warn them.
Since hijacking the Galaxy Leader on November 19 and kidnapping 25 crew members, the Houthis have attacked commercial ships as well as U.S. and British military vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis say the attack was in solidarity with the Palestinian people amid Israel’s war against Palestine. Hamasanother Iranian proxy militia that began on October 7th.
Since January, the United States and its allies have responded with small and large-scale attacks targeting military assets in Houthi-held Yemen, vowing to protect vital trade routes. The White House has not called for escalation, saying the attack was aimed at deterrence and weakening the Houthis’ military capabilities.
“The Houthis continue to carry out reckless attacks with no regard for the health of innocent civilians passing through the Red Sea,” a State Department spokesperson said. matthew miller said in Press conference Wednesday in Washington DC
“And now they have unfortunately and tragically killed innocent civilians.”
Asked whether the Houthis’ continued attacks showed that their deterrence and degradation plan was not working, Miller countered that he had always said this was a long-term process.
He also said he would discuss with regional partners “how to make clear to the Houthis that these attacks are irresponsible, endangering international commerce and damaging economies in the region and around the world.” ” . ”
Centcom earlier shot down four anti-ship ballistic missiles, three unmanned aerial drones, and three unmanned maritime drones in two strikes launched from Yemen’s Houthi-held areas against the destroyer USS Carney in the Red Sea. announced.
There were no injuries or damage to the ship in the attacks Tuesday afternoon and evening, Centcom said. news release.
“CENTCOM forces have identified missiles, UAVs, and USVs and determined that they pose an immediate threat to commercial shipping and U.S. Navy vessels in the region.
“These steps are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make the high seas safer and more secure for the U.S. Navy and commercial vessels,” Centcom said.
Houthi spokesman Amin Hayyan said: Post to X The group said it targeted two American destroyers in the Red Sea and conducted a “qualitative military operation” using numerous naval missiles and drones.
In response to calls by the Yemeni people to come to the aid of Palestinians, Haiyan threatened that Yemeni forces would “not hesitate to escalate” attacks against “all hostile targets.”
“Yemeni military operations will not stop until the invasion stops and the siege imposed on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, an Indian warship patrolling the Gulf of Aden rescued a Swiss-owned container ship that had burst into flames after being attacked by missiles and drones.
The Indian Navy said: Post to X A 12-member specialist firefighting team from the Kolkata INS said it had rushed to the scene 90 nautical miles south-east of Aden and boarded the MSC Sky II in the early hours of Tuesday to help put out the fire.
A Navy spokesperson said: “An explosives specialist team was also on board to assist with residual risk assessment.”
CENTCOM confirmed that SKY II was attacked with an ASBM.
It said five ASBMs had been launched by the Houthis in the past two days.
“These reckless attacks by the Houthis have disrupted global trade and claimed the lives of international seafarers,” the report said.
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“On Wednesday, the Houthis attacked a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, killing three people and injuring at least four others, the first such attack by Iranian proxies…”
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