New Claim by Houthi Rebels in Yemen Regarding Attacks on Four Ships in the Red Sea and Mediterranean

The Houthis, supported by the Islamic Republic, claimed on Friday, June 29, that they targeted four ships in the Red Sea and Mediterranean in recent days. According to Reuters, Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for this 'terrorist' group, took responsibility for the attack on a Liberian-flagged ship in the Red Sea during a television program on Friday. The British Maritime Agency had previously reported that five missiles were fired at this ship but did not hit it. Yahya Saree also claimed that they accurately targeted the oil tanker 'Delonix' with ballistic missiles, while a British maritime trade observer stated earlier on Thursday that this ship, which was targeted northwest of the port of Hodeidah in Yemen, suffered no damage and continued its journey. He also mentioned that the Houthis attacked the 'Ioannis' ship in the Red Sea, as well as the Walre tanker and the 'Johannes Maersk' ship in the Mediterranean. 'Johannes Maersk' is the second-largest container ship in the world. The U.S. Central Command has not yet commented on this claim. The Houthi attacks on international shipping have been ongoing since last November, under the pretext of supporting the people of Gaza. Due to these attacks, many ships have preferred to avoid the Red Sea route towards the Suez Canal and instead undertake a longer journey around the southern tip of Africa. The Houthis claim to have used a 'new ballistic missile' in the attack on a cargo ship on Monday. Iraqi militants targeted the port of Eilat in Israel; an attack on a ship in the Gulf of Aden; an explosion near a cargo ship in the Arabian Sea; no damage reported. The Houthi attack on a Greek ship; CENTCOM states that the damage to the ship and injuries to the crew are minor. Houthi militants in Yemen claimed a drone attack on four ships in Haifa port.