Yemen's Houthi armed group has reportedly launched attacks on three cargo ships in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden as a form of protest against the ongoing Israeli invasion of Gaza. The announcement was made by Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree on Thursday, as reported by Al Jazeera.
According to Saree, ballistic missiles and drones were deployed to target two vessels, MSC Dego and MSC Gina, in the Gulf of Aden. Additionally, another ship in the Indian Ocean was also attacked. The MSC Vittoria was fired upon upon its arrival in the Gulf of Aden. Houthi claims assert that all targeted ships are owned by Israel.
This latest assault marks a continuation of Houthi attacks on maritime targets, with more than fifty ships in the Red Sea and adjacent waters having been targeted since November of last year. The group maintains that these actions will persist until Israel ceases its offensive in Gaza, signaling a direct linkage between the attacks and the Israeli military campaign.
The Houthis' maritime aggression underscores the group's determination to oppose what they view as unjust Israeli aggression in Gaza. However, the attacks also raise concerns about the safety and security of commercial shipping lanes in the region, potentially impacting global trade routes.
As tensions continue to escalate in the region, calls for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions persist. The international community remains vigilant in monitoring developments in the Middle East, particularly in light of the complex dynamics at play and the potential for further escalation.
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