First civilian killed in Houthi attack on merchant ship in the Red Sea

first Amendment: 03/06/2024 – 23:32

4 minutes

The United Kingdom Embassy in Yemen confirmed this Wednesday, March 6, that at least two members of the crew of the ship True Confidence died in an attack by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden, access to the Red Sea. These are the first civilian victims of actions by the rebels, who are supported by Iran.

The embassy expressed its disapproval in its official statement on Platform X. “At least two innocent sailors have been killed. This was the tragic but inevitable consequence of the Houthis recklessly firing missiles at international shipping.”

The United Kingdom, which is part of the US-led naval coalition in the Red Sea, deployed after the Shiite group began attacks in November, urging a halt to Houthi attacks.

Prior to this confirmation, the United Kingdom had reported the attack 54 nautical miles south-west of Aden, which caused damage and required the evacuation of the crew with the help of a naval coalition, although no further details were available at the time. Was not given.

Houthis military spokesman Yahya Sariya confirmed in a statement that his units launched an attack against True Confidence with the aim of opening fire on board through the use of missiles. According to the representative, the bombing occurred after the crew ignored warnings from Houthi naval forces.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Ali al-Huti, a member of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, denied that the group had deliberately tried to attack civilians and assured that they would offer “compensation for the involuntary act”, as That’s the same as “whatever is estimated”. “Compensation from the US and Israel for civilians in Gaza.”

The incident represents one of the most serious Houthi attacks on a ship in the region, after rebels attacked and sank the British ship Rubymar last month. Attacks by the Houthis began on November 19, which have intensified in recent weeks after Washington classified them as a terrorist group.

The United States and the United Kingdom reacted to the attack

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the government would continue to hold Yemen’s Houthis responsible for attacks on international shipping.

At a news conference, he declined to specify whether the attack would trigger a new round of retaliation by Washington, which has repeatedly launched deadly strikes against the Houthis in response to the group’s attacks on shipping.

For his part, the British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, also mentioned the bombing of the ship: “Disappointed to learn of the deaths of members of the international crew of the MV True Confidence in a Houthi attack in the Red Sea. Our thoughts are with their families. ,” he said in a post on X.

They added, “We condemn the Houthis’ reckless and indiscriminate attacks on global shipping and demand that they be stopped. We will continue to defend freedom of navigation and back up our words with actions.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Cotton, secretary general of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), the main union of maritime workers, called for immediate safety measures.

“We have repeatedly warned the international community and the maritime industry about the increasing risks facing sailors in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Today… we see a tragic confirmation of those warnings,” Cotton said, quoted by Reuters.

Why are the Houthis attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea?

Since November 2023, the Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea in what they call a campaign of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, who are suffering the consequences of Israeli bombardment and a food blockade.

While the militia has said it will attack ships bound for the United Kingdom, the United States and Israel, shipping industry sources say all ships are at risk. And the confirmed deaths recorded this Wednesday could create pressure for stronger military action.

With Reuters and EFE