German container ship attacked in the Red Sea. A fire broke out on the ship
The Liberian-flagged container ship Al Jasrah was attacked in the Red Sea by a missile fired from the Houthi-controlled region of Yemen.
The German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd reported that the Liberian-flagged container ship “Al Jasrah” was attacked from the air in the Red Sea, approximately 92 km north of the Yemeni port of Mocha. The ship was passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. As a result of the impact, an attack occurred on board the container ship. One of the containers fell overboard, the Associated Press reported.
A U.S. Department of Defense spokesman said the missile was launched from a Houthi-controlled region of Yemen. The attack was also confirmed by the British Maritime Transport Agency (UKMTO), which monitors shipping lanes in the Middle East. It also warned other ships to exercise caution. No casualties were reported as a result of the strike on Al Jasrah.
Houthi rebel attacks on ships sailing to Israel. Response to the war against Hamas
The attack on the Liberian-flagged container ship is a further escalation of the campaign by Iran-backed Yemeni rebels. So far, attacks have avoided ships sailing in the Red Sea and the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. Strikes in response to the war between Israel and Hamas are becoming weaker.
The Houthis said they would continue attacks until Israel ends its offensive on the Gaza Strip. On December 10, the French multi-mission frigate Languedoc was attacked in the Red Sea using two drones. The Houthis argue that they will attack any entity heading to Israeli ports, regardless of nationality. Their attacks pose a threat to the sea routes through which most of the world’s oil flows.
