The Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed responsibility early this Friday, January 19, for strikes against an American merchant ship circulating in the Gulf of Aden. These strikes are part of a week which has seen the escalation of tensions with the British and American responses, carried out under the banner of the international coalition set up by Washington to protect traffic in this maritime zone critical for international trade.
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The Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed responsibility early this Friday, January 19, for strikes against an American merchant ship circulating in the Gulf of Aden. “The naval forces of the Yemeni armed forces (the name given to the armed wing of the Houthis, editor’s note) carried out a targeted operation against an American ship, the Chem Rangerin the Gulf of Aden with several anti-ship missiles, some of which hit their target,” they said in a statement.
The US military command in the Middle East (Centcom) confirmed that the Houthis had indeed aimed, but with “ two missiles », the merchant ship Chem Ranger without however reaching it as the rebels claim. According to the specialist site Marine Traffic, the Chem Ranger is an American tanker flying the flag of the Marshall Islands which has been off the coast of Yemen in recent days.
Third Houthi Terrorists Attack on Commercial Shipping Vessel in Three Days
On Jan. 18 at approximately 9 pm (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at M/V Chem Ranger, a Marshall Island-flagged, US-Owned, Greek-operated tanker… pic.twitter.com/moBkH0Al5B
— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 19, 2024
“ A response to American and British attacks is inevitable, any further aggression will be punished “, argued the Houthis, saying they only target ships going to Israel” until there is a ceasefire and the siege on Gaza is lifted “.
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Houthis say they are sparing Chinese and Russian ships
China on Friday called for an end to “ harassment” of civilian vessels on this “important international trade route for goods and energy said Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. “ We call for an end to the harassment of civilian vessels and the maintenance of smooth global supply chains and the international trade order”, she indicated during a regular press briefing. Beijing is trying to maintain its neutrality in the war in Gaza, the repercussions of which affect the entire region. Thus China does not participate in the international coalition under American flag in the Red Sea. But the economic risks are significant and could push China to assert itself more firmly, particularly against its Iranian ally, in an attempt to ease tensions.
Read alsoGlobal trade held hostage by the Houthis?
In an interview with the Russian daily Izvestiapublished on Friday, a member of the political leadership of the Houthis, Mohammed al-Bukhait, castigated the United States and the United Kingdom and assured that “ none of their ships will be able to cross one of the main trade routes in the world… (and what) other countries, including China and Russia » are they not threatened: “ we are even ready to ensure the safe passage of their ships through the Red Sea”.
The United States struck rebel sites in Yemen for the fifth time on Thursday. The deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, Sabrina Singh, said that these bombings, which began at the end of last week and sometimes carried out with the United Kingdom, could have “destroyed a significant part of the capabilities” of the Houthis. Washington has also reinstated this group on one of its lists of “terroist organizations”. US President Joe Biden declared this week that these strikes would continue as long as the Houthis disrupt international maritime trade off the coast of Yemen.
Faced with these attacks, the United States set up a coalition to patrol off the coast of Yemen and protect maritime traffic. Not all countries in this coalition participate in the strikes. Denmark, birthplace of the world’s No. 2 shipping company Maersk, announced Thursday that it would join. France has decided not to participate “ to avoid any escalation » in the region, according to its president Emmanuel Macron.
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January 12
American and British forces strike before dawn on 60 targets on around fifteen sites held by the Houthis in Yemen, using fighter planes and missiles, according to the American military command in the Middle East (Centcom). Five people were killed during the strikes, according to the Houthis, who fired “at least one” missile in response without hitting any targets. After these strikes, the rebels proclaimed American and British interests as “legitimate targets”.
January 13
A new US strike hits Al-Dailami air base, located in the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, according to the US military, following warnings from the Houthis of continued attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
January 14
US forces shoot down cruise missile fired by Houthis towards US destroyer USS Laboonfrom Yemen.
January 15
Missile fired by Houthis hits US cargo ship Gibraltar Eagle off the coast of the city of Aden in southern Yemen, causing a fire on board but causing no casualties.
January 16
The United States destroys four anti-ship ballistic missiles ready to be launched from Yemen, according to the US military. Later, a missile hit a Maltese-flagged Greek bulk carrier sailing in the Red Sea, causing limited damage.
January 17
Houthi-launched drone hits US bulk carrier Genco Picardy, without causing injuries but causing slight damage, according to Centcom. American forces then neutralized 14 missiles “loaded for firing” from Yemen, according to Washington.
January 18
The Houthis claim strikes “directly hit” an American merchant ship, the Chem Ranger, in the Gulf of Aden. US forces say the missiles missed their target. The United States claims to have destroyed two Houthi anti-ship missiles in Yemen, ready to be launched into the Red Sea according to them.
(AFP)
(with AFP)