Yemeni armed forces reportedly target US ship 'Star Iris' in Red Sea
The Yemeni Armed Forces announced in a statement on Monday that they targeted the US vessel "Star Iris" in the Red Sea on Monday.
The statement said the strike involved "precise naval missiles" and achieved a "direct hit" on the ship.
While the Yemeni announcement sent shockwaves through regional and international news outlets, critical details remain shrouded in uncertainty.
There has been no official statement or confirmation from the US side regarding the incident.
Yemeni forces have been targeting vessels in the southern Red Sea and a narrow corridor called the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This strait serves as a crucial chokepoint between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is aptly named “Gate of Tears” in Arabic due to its precarious navigation conditions.
Yemeni forces employ an array of sophisticated weapons, including ballistic missiles and “kamikaze” drones.
These attacks are in support of the Palestinian resistance groups, which are fighting the zionist occupation forces in the Gaza Strip.
The attacks began on November 19, when Yemeni commandos landed a helicopter on the Galaxy Leader cargo vessel. They redirected it toward Hodeidah port in Yemen and seized the crew, who are still being held. Since then, 29 more ships have been attacked in the area, with 13 of those suffering direct strikes from missiles or drones.
These attacks have caused major disruptions to global trade, as approximately 12% of global trade passes through the Red Sea. (ILKHA)