Houthi militants in Yemen launched an assault on a commercial vessel sailing through the Red Sea, targeting the ship near the port city of Hodeidah. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the attackers used multiple small boats armed with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) to strike the Greek-owned vessel.
This incident marks the second attack in as many days by the Iranian-backed Houthis on maritime traffic in the same vicinity. On Sunday, UKMTO also reported that a different commercial ship was targeted in a similar fashion near Hodeidah, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel amid the violence.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Houthi terrorist group has intensified its campaign against maritime traffic, claiming that its targets were connected to Israel. Their tactics have included launching drones, firing missiles, and deploying explosive-laden speedboats. These aggressive actions have significantly disrupted international shipping and contributed to instability in the region. Although the intensity of the attacks subsided after U.S.-led military action and a subsequent truce, the Houthis have continued sporadic aggression.
On Sunday night, the Israel Air Force responded with a wave of strikes against Houthi positions, in retaliation for the group’s persistent ballistic missile attacks aimed at Israeli territory.
Defense Minister Yisroel Katz acknowledged the Israeli offensive, stating, “As part of Operation ‘Black Flag,’ the IDF has now powerfully struck terrorist targets of the Houthi terror regime in the ports of Hodeidah, Al-Salif, and Ras Issa, the Ras Katib power station, and the ship Galaxy Leader which was hijacked by the Houthis about two years ago and is currently being used for terrorist activities in the Red Sea.”
He further warned, “As I warned: The fate of Yemen is the same as that of Tehran. Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed, and anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have their hand cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.”
{Matzav.com}