The Houthis, a pro-Iranian Yemeni group, have claimed responsibility for a naval drone attack on two ships in the Red Sea.
This is evidenced by a statement by the group’s representative, Yahya Sarea, published on Monday on the X website.
The statement identifies the vessels that were attacked as Swan Atlantic and MSC Clara.
Earlier, US officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity that the attack was carried out from territory controlled by the Houthis.
The attack on the Norwegian-owned Swan Atlantic was the latest in a series of attacks on ships sailing the Red Sea since the Gaza war began. Øystein Elgan, chief executive of owner Inventor Chemical Tankers, said none of the crew were injured.
The Houthis say they are attacking ships linked to Israel. Inventor Chemical Tankers has no ties to Israel, Elgan said. The US Navy destroyer responded to the Swan Atlantic’s distress signal and came to the aid of the Norwegian ship’s crew, US officials said.
Two major cargo companies, including MSC, the world’s largest container shipping line, said over the weekend they would avoid the Suez Canal in the wake of the Houthi attacks.
The Houthis have repeatedly stressed that they intend to continue their attacks until Israel ceases military operations in Gaza. Last Saturday, however, they said that real steps to ease the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip would help “de-escalate.” They also said they were negotiating their maritime “operations” through Oman.
Recall that last week, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that Washington is negotiating with other countries to create a maritime task force that will “ensure the safe passage of ships in the Red Sea.”
US special envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said the US would like the coalition to send “a signal to the international community… that Houthi threats to international shipping will not be tolerated.”
