New Delhi: The Houthis of Yemen claim to have launched a drone strike against the MSC Orion container ship in the Indian Ocean. This was a part of the continuous movement to stop international shipping in support of Palestine in opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
As per reports, the Portugal-flagged ship MSC Orion was sailing between the ports in Sines, Portugal and Salalah, Oman and its registered owner is Zodiac Maritime, according to LSEG data. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Iran-supported Houthi militants have launched repeated drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden since November, forcing shippers to re-route cargo to longer and more expensive journeys around Southern Africa and stoking fears that the Israel-Hamas war could spread and destabilise the Middle East.
In March the group’s leader said that the group is expanding its attack area to prevent Israeli-linked ships from passing through the Indian Ocean toward the Cape of Good Hope. According to its spokesman, in a videotaped speech early on Tuesday, the Iran-affiliated group also targeted two U.S. destroyers in the Red Sea and the Cyclades commercial vessel.
Reportedly, British Maritime Security Firm Ambrey Reported earlier that a Malta-flagged container ship on Monday said it was targeted by three missiles while en route from Djibouti to the Saudi city of Jeddah. The Cyclades, according to the Houthis, were travelling that path when they struck the ship. In an advisory note, Ambrey determined that the ship was targeted because of its listed operator’s continued trading with Israel. The US and UK have carried out strikes against Houthis in retaliation for their attacks on vessels.
