Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Suspected of Firing Missiles at Liberian-Flagged Container Ship Groton Near Aden Amid Ongoing Israel-Hamas Conflict
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
5 minutes read. Updated 1:34AM GMT Mon, 2September, 2024
Yemen’s Houthi rebels are suspected of firing two missiles at the Liberian-flagged container ship Groton late Friday. The missiles splashed down near the vessel without causing any damage, according to authorities. This incident follows a series of assaults on commercial vessels in the region, as the conflict in Yemen continues to spill over into critical international shipping lanes.
The attack on the Groton occurred approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) east of Aden, with the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center confirming that the missiles exploded in close proximity to the vessel. “The ship reports all crew are safe and proceeding to the next port of call,” the UKMTO stated. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
This latest assault mirrors a similar attack on the Groton on August 3, when the vessel suffered minor damage after two missiles were fired at it. The Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational body overseen by the U.S. Navy, noted that the Groton was targeted due to other vessels within its company structure making recent port calls in Israel.
Though the Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack on Friday, the group’s involvement is strongly suspected given their track record of targeting vessels in the region. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones at more than 80 ships, seizing one and sinking two. These attacks have not only disrupted commercial shipping but also pose a significant threat to humanitarian aid shipments destined for conflict-ravaged regions such as Sudan and Yemen.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, have stated that their campaign aims to pressure Israel, the U.S., and the U.K. to halt operations in Gaza. However, many of the targeted vessels, including those bound for Iran, have no direct connection to the Gaza conflict, indicating a broader strategy of maritime disruption by the rebels.
In response, the U.S. military’s Central Command reported on Saturday that it had intercepted and destroyed two drones over Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, underscoring the escalating tensions in the region’s skies and seas.
