Houthis Attack 2 U.S. Navy Destroyers & Israel-Linked Commercial Ships In The Indian Ocean

Yemeni Houthis have claimed that they targeted the Portugal-flagged container ship MSC Orion through one of their drone attacks in the Indian Ocean as part of the ongoing movement against international shipping in solidarity with the Palestinians against the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza.

MSC Orion was moving between the Sines (Portugal) and Salalah (Oman) ports. Zodiac Maritime is its registered owner.

Zodiac is partly owned by Eyal Ofer, an Israeli businessman. The firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Iran-aligned Houthis have launched repeated missile and drone strikes in the waters of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden since November 2023, compelling shipping companies to re-route their vessels to more expensive and longer journeys around Southern Africa.

In March, the group’s leader mentioned that the group had started expanding the attack area to deter Israel-associated vessels from sailing via the Indian Ocean toward the Cape of Good Hope.

The Iran-affiliated body targeted the Cyclades commercial vessel and two US destroyers in the waters of the Red Sea, its spokesman declared in a televised address on Tuesday.

A British maritime security company named Ambrey reported earlier that a Malta-flagged container vessel on Monday said that three missiles targeted it as it was on its way to Jeddah from Djibouti.

The Houthis mentioned that the Cyclades were on that route as they attacked the vessel.

Ambrey assessed that the vessel was targeted owing to the listed operator’s trade with Israel, it declared through an advisory note.

Britain and the US have accomplished strikes against the Houthis in retaliation for the cruel attacks on vessels.

Reference: Reuters

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Source: Maritime Shipping News