Iranian-backed terrorists launch ballistic missiles at oil tanker in Gulf of Aden
Iranian-backed Houthi Terrorists Fire Missiles at Cargo Ships in Red Sea
In a brazen act of aggression, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists launched anti-ship ballistic missiles at cargo ships in the Red Sea this week, defying the recent airstrikes conducted by the U.S. and U.K. to halt their attacks.
The U.S. Central Command reported that the attacks took place on Tuesday, with the terror group firing six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) into the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Targeting MV Star Nasia
According to CENTCOM, three of the ASBMs were aimed at MV Star Nasia, a Greek-owned bulk carrier sailing through the Gulf of Aden. The ship reported a minor explosion near it at approximately 3:20 a.m., causing minimal damage and no injuries. Another missile hit the water near the ship at 2 p.m., without any effect. However, at 4:30 p.m., USS Laboon (DDG 58), operating nearby, successfully intercepted and shot down a third anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis. MV Star Nasia remains undeterred and continues its journey.
Targeting MV Morning Tide
The remaining ASBMs were believed to be targeting MV Morning Tide, a U.K.-owned cargo ship operating in the Southern Red Sea. Although the missiles landed near the ship, they did not cause any damage.
These recent attacks on merchant ships occurred shortly after the U.S. and U.K., along with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, launched strikes against the Houthis. The Department of Defense justified these strikes as “proportionate and necessary” in response to the Houthis’ illegal and destabilizing actions.
Disrupting Houthi Capabilities
The precision strikes specifically targeted the Houthis’ deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems, and radars. The objective was to disrupt and degrade their capabilities, which pose a threat to global trade and the lives of innocent mariners.
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What are the potential economic consequences of disruptions to maritime trade in the Red Sea?
Greek-owned cargo ship. Fortunately, all three missiles failed to hit their target and fell into the Red Sea. The other three missiles were reportedly fired at unknown targets, their fate remains uncertain at this time.
This recent attack is just one in a string of escalating acts of aggression by the Houthi terrorists, who have been emboldened by the backing and support of the Iranian regime. These terrorists, who are aligned with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have been wreaking havoc in the region for years.
The Houthi rebels first gained prominence in Yemen in 2014 when they took control of the capital, Sana’a, and forced the internationally recognized Yemeni government into exile. Since then, they have been engaged in a brutal civil war against the Yemeni government and its allies, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
With the backing of Iran, the Houthi rebels have managed to acquire advanced weaponry, including ballistic missiles and drones. They have repeatedly used these weapons to target civilian infrastructure and military installations, as well as international shipping in the region.
The targeting of cargo ships in the Red Sea is a particularly concerning development. The Red Sea is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, and any disruption to the free flow of maritime trade in this area could have serious economic consequences for countries around the world.
It is important to note that the recent airstrikes conducted by the U.S. and U.K. were specifically aimed at degrading the Houthi rebels’ capabilities to carry out such attacks. These airstrikes targeted Houthi weapon storage and assembly facilities, as well as radar installations used to track and target shipping in the Red Sea.
However, these latest missile launches show that the Houthi rebels remain a formidable force, capable of continuing their campaign of terror despite international efforts to curb their activities. It is clear that more needs to be done to address the root cause of the problem – Iran’s support for these terrorists.
The Iranian regime must be held accountable for its role in fueling the conflict in Yemen and supporting terrorist groups like the Houthis. The international community, led by the United States, must impose tougher sanctions on Iran and exert diplomatic pressure to force a change in its behavior.
Furthermore, it is crucial that countries in the region, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are provided with the necessary support to defend themselves against such attacks. This includes enhancing their missile defense capabilities and intelligence-sharing to track and intercept Houthi missile launches.
Lastly, the targeting of cargo ships in the Red Sea highlights the need for increased international cooperation and coordination to ensure the safety and security of maritime trade routes. Countries must work together to enhance surveillance and response capabilities and prevent further attacks on commercial vessels.
The recent missile attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists on cargo ships in the Red Sea are a clear demonstration of the threat they pose not only to regional stability but also to international maritime trade. It is imperative that swift and decisive action is taken to address this threat and prevent further acts of aggression by these terrorists. The international community must unite in condemning Iran’s support for the Houthis and work together to counter this dangerous alliance. Only through collective action can we hope to restore peace and security to the region and safeguard the global economy.
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