On May 9, Houthi forces in Yemen announced that they had conducted attacks on three ships related to Israel in the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.
A cargo ship was attacked by Houthi forces in the Red Sea, March 1, 2024. Photo: AFP/TTXVN
According to Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea, the attacks were carried out with the help of drones and missiles. The target was two ships identified as MSC DIEGO and MSC GINA in the Gulf of Aden. Meanwhile, the remaining ship, MSC VITTORIA, is said to have been hit by air strikes twice, including once in the Indian Ocean and once in the Arabian Sea. The spokesman did not specify the time of the attacks, but stated that the air strikes were carried out accurately.
Previously, a preliminary report from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said that MSC GINA and MSC DIEGO, both container ships flying the Panamanian flag, were attacked by two missiles on May 7. just past the Gulf of Aden. UKMTO stated that fortunately there were no casualties, all crew on board were safe.
Since the outbreak of the Hamas – Israel conflict, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked ships in the Red Sea, causing concern about shipping activities on this important sea route. In response to the Houthi attacks, the US and UK then launched a joint military operation against Houthi targets in Yemen. Security instability in the Red Sea has forced many shipping companies to temporarily stop shipping goods through the Red Sea and shift to the longer and more expensive sea route around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa.