The United States Navy announced that Houthi rebels in Yemen attacked a Liberian-flagged container ship in the Gulf of Aden on Saturday. The incident was the first time that the Tehran-backed militia struck a commercial vessel since last month’s bombing by Israel of infrastructure under their control in the port of Hodeida.
The strike reportedly targeted the Greek-operated MV Groton while it was sailing 140 miles southeast of Aden, causing minor damage above its waterline. No injuries were documented in the explosion, and the ship later diverted to a nearby location.
The latest disturbance comes as the Houthis appear to be continuing their ten-month campaign against the region’s ocean-transport companies, in what their spokespersons claim is a solidarity campaign with Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Since October, the Yemeni militants have targeted more than 70 vessels, capturing one and sinking two. These efforts have caused significant disruption in global trade, as many industry participants have been forced to forgo the Suez Canal and take a more expensive and time-consuming route around Africa to protect their employees and cargo.
Also on Saturday, a Houthi spokesperson claimed that his organization shot down a U.S. MQ-9 spy drone over Saada province.
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