Houthis Claim to Have Targeted 'MSC Sara' Ship in the Arabian Sea

The Houthis of Yemen announced on Tuesday that they targeted the 'MSC Sara' ship in the Arabian Sea with a ballistic missile and took responsibility for the attack that occurred the previous day. The 'Joint Maritime Information Center of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden' reported on Monday that the ship, which sails under the Liberian flag, was targeted in the Red Sea but the missile did not hit it. According to this organization, the ship was likely attacked because the Houthis considered it linked to Israel. However, Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, referred to the ship as 'Israeli' and claimed it was the target of a 'precise and complete attack.' The UK Maritime Trade Operations center stated that the crew of the ship was unharmed and that the vessel, which was 246 nautical miles from the port of Nishtun in Yemen at the time of the attack, continued on its course. Since November, the Houthis have targeted shipping lines in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with missile and drone attacks, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza in their war against Israel. Dozens of attacks by this group have led to the sinking of two ships and the deaths of three sailors. The Houthis have also seized one ship.