Sanaa, June 30 2024 — Yemen's Houthi armed group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Liberian-flagged ship in the Red Sea, stating it was in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari announced their involvement in a televised statement on Friday.

According to maritime reports, the Houthis fired five missiles targeting the ship, part of a series of attacks that also included incidents in the Mediterranean Sea. British news agency Reuters confirmed the incidents.

Yahya Sari specified that the Houthi forces successfully targeted the oil tanker Delonix with ballistic missiles, claiming a direct hit. The attack occurred approximately 150 nautical miles northwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Fortunately, the ship sustained no damage and is continuing northward.

In addition to the Red Sea incident, Sari disclosed that Houthi forces targeted the Ioannis ship in the Red Sea, as well as the Wall oil tanker and the Johannes Maersk ship in the Mediterranean.

These attacks have significantly disrupted international shipping routes since November, forcing many vessels to circumnavigate around the southern tip of Africa rather than risk the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. The ongoing conflict and Houthi attacks pose continued challenges to maritime security in the region.

The international community remains vigilant as tensions persist in the Red Sea and Mediterranean, impacting global shipping and necessitating heightened security measures for vessels navigating these waters.