Houthi rebels target US-owned ship in Yemen waters

Houthi fighters have launched an attack on a ship they identified as United States-owned, sailing in Yemeni waters. The Iran-linked group stated that the vessel, Star Iris, was hit by "a number of suitable naval missiles" in precise strikes.

As Al Jazeera reports, this incident marks a series of assaults by the Houthis in the Red Sea, disrupting the vital trade route between Europe and Asia while condemning Israel's actions in Gaza.

Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, declared the strike on the vessel, owned by the US-listed Star Bulk Carriers Corp, as a show of solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to perceived American and British aggression.

Confirming the attack, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the vessel sustained two missile strikes, with the crew unharmed and the ship en route to its next port of call.

Despite recent US and UK retaliatory strikes on Houthi-held territory, the rebels remain resolute in targeting Red Sea vessels until the conflict ceases.

This attack follows closely on the heels of recent US military strikes aimed at Yemeni territory, underscoring the escalating tensions in the region. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) disclosed that its latest operations targeted unmanned surface vessels and mobile anti-ship cruise missiles in response to the ongoing maritime threats posed by the Houthi rebels.

[With information sourced from Al Jazeera]