Houthi Rebels, Backed by Iran, Attack 4 Ships in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea

GG News Bureau
Dubai/Cairo, 30th April. The Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for attacking the MSC Orion container ship with a drone in the Indian Ocean. This is part of their ongoing efforts to disrupt international shipping in support of Palestinians against Israeli military actions in Gaza.

The MSC Orion, flying the flag of Portugal, was traveling between ports in Sines, Portugal and Salalah, Oman. The ship is owned by Zodiac Maritime, as per LSEG data.

Zodiac Maritime is partially owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. The company has not yet responded to requests for comments.

Since November, the Iran-aligned Houthi militants have been launching drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. This has led to ships having to take longer and more expensive routes around Southern Africa. There are concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could escalate and destabilize the Middle East.

In March, the group’s leader announced that they would expand their attacks to prevent Israel-linked ships from passing through the Indian Ocean towards the Cape of Good Hope.

Additionally, the Houthi rebels targeted the Cyclades commercial vessel and two U.S. destroyers in the Red Sea, according to their spokesman in a televised address on Tuesday.

According to British maritime security firm Ambrey, a Malta-flagged container ship reported being targeted by three missiles while traveling from Djibouti to Jeddah. The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking the Cyclades on that route.

Ambrey said that the ship was targeted due to its operators’ trade with Israel, as mentioned in an advisory note.

In response to the attacks on vessels, the United States and Britain have conducted strikes against Houthi targets.