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On February 12, there was a new round of escalation in the Red Sea. The Yemeni armed forces reported an attack on the US ship Star Iris. The ship was reportedly hit by Houthi anti-ship missiles.
According to Yahya Sare’e, the military spokesman of the Houthis, the Yemeni Navy struck the American ship Star Iris with several anti—ship missiles in the Red Sea. He added that the strikes “were accurate and direct”.
Ansar Allah warned that such operations will continue until the aggression against the Palestinian people stops and the blockade of the Palestinian enclave is lifted. They strikes will also be held in response to the US-British aggression against Yemen.
The report reads:
“In vindication of the oppressed Palestinian people, in support and solidarity with our brothers in the Gaza Strip, and as a retaliation to the American-British aggression on our country.
The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted the American ship “Star Iris” in the Red Sea with a number of suitable naval missiles, and the strikes were accurate and direct.
The Yemeni Armed Forces, in response to their religious, moral and humanitarian duty, will continue to implement the decision to prevent Israeli navigation or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine in the Red and Arab Seas until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.
They will not hesitate to carry out more operations in retaliation to The Zionist crimes against our brothers in the Gaza Strip, as well as in response to the ongoing American-British aggression against our dear country.”
The Star Iris vessel is a bulk carrier and sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands. About two days ago, it was reported that it was in the Red Sea.
Earlier on February 12, the Office of Maritime Trade Operations of the United Kingdom (UKMTO) reported another attack on a ship off the coast of Yemen. According to the department, the incident occurred 70 km south of the port city of Al-Mukha. The captain of the ship reported that two missiles were fired at the ship. None of the crew members were injured, the ship is heading to port. The UKMTO did not specify the name of the vessel.
The UKMTO urged the crews of other ships to stay caustious when navigating off the coast of Yemen and to inform about any suspicious activity.
The Houthis have targeted dozens of Israel-affiliated vessels and others owned by the U.S. and the UK using missiles and drones since November 19 in response to the ongoing Israeli war and siege on Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 26,000 Palestinians.
The U.S. and the UK retaliated by carrying out dozens of strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen in recent weeks. However, the group remains undeterred.
