The Houthis are trying like hell to wreak havoc on the international waterways in its vicinity and has struck two more ships today and caused fires.
CENTCOM posted a short while ago that the Houthis threatened one ship, hit a second ship with a ballistic missile and a third ship with a UAV.
Here’s more:
At approximately 0700, Dec. 15 (Sanaa time), Houthi forces contacted the Motor Vessel MSC ALANYA, a Liberian flagged vessel that was traveling north in the southern part of the Red Sea and threatened to attack it. The Houthis directed the vessel to turn around and proceed south. Although there were no U.S. ships in the area, U.S. forces maintained direct communications with the vessel, and the ALANYA continued north. It is believed to be traveling safely at this time.
At approximately 0900, Dec. 15 (Sanaa time), a UAV launched from Houthi held territory struck the Liberian flagged Motor Vessel AL JASRAH as it was travelling south in the Red Sea. The AL JASRAH immediately broadcast a mayday signal that said the crew was fighting a fire caused by the attack.
The fire has since been extinguished and the crew has since determined that no further assistance is needed.
Then, at approximately 1300, Dec. 15 (Sanaa time), Houthi forces launched two ballistic missiles towards the international shipping lanes in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. One of these missiles struck the Liberian flagged MV PALATIUM 3, which broadcast a mayday call and reported that the vessel was on fire. The USS MASON has responded to that request. The other missile likely missed any ships.
No injuries have been reported by any of the three ships attacked, but this latest round of attacks is yet another demonstration of the great risk to international shipping caused by these Houthi actions.
Keep showing weakness and this is going to keep happening. Other Iranian proxy groups have attacked US troops in Iraq and Syria nearly 100 times now. And the Houthis are attacking ships every day. If no one is going to do anything about it, then I don’t see how this ends.
PHOTO BY MANUEL HERNANDEZ LAFUENTE