[News] Attacks follow one another in the Red Sea against merchant ships

(B2) Yemen's Houthis carry out their threat. Missiles and drones targeted several commercial ships sailing in the southern Red Sea on Sunday (December 3). A desired response to Israel's attack on Gaza.

An American destroyer in the area

The attacks followed one another on Sunday morning and afternoon, carried out both by missiles and drones, according to US CentCom, the American command responsible for the Persian Gulf, which detailed each of these attacks and the response launched. by an American destroyer which was patrolling the area. On several occasions, British ships were targeted. Owned by shareholders who often have dual British and Israeli nationality.

A first attack on a British ship

At approximately 9:15 a.m. (local time), theUSS Carney (DDG64), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer normally based in La Rota, detected anti-ship ballistic missile attack fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen » indicates CentCom, Management: a Bahamas-flagged cargo ship, owned and operated in the United Kingdom, the MV Unity Explorer (1). The missile has “ exploded near the ship ».

A drone shot down

A little later, around noon the USS Carney — which “ is then in international waters » according to the US command -, detects a drone « launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen » heading in his direction. The drone is shot down without damage to the American ship or any injuries among the personnel ". The specific target of the drone was " not clear » recognizes CentCom, however. “ We cannot assess at this time whether the Carney was a drone target. »

A merchant ship targeted by a missile

A few minutes later, around 12:35 p.m., the MV Unity Explorer is targeted again. He sends a distress call to have “ was hit by a missile fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen ". The USS Carney heads towards the merchant ship to assess the damage. The damage seems Minors ". But, in the meantime, another approaching drone is detected. He is dejected. without damage or injury, on the Carney like the Mv Unity Explorer ».

Third attack on another British ship

Around 15:30 p.m., it’s the turn of MV Number 9, a container ship flying the Panamanian flag and owned by a British company, to be hit by a missile fired " from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen » while sailing in the international waters of the Red Sea. “ Without damage ».

Fourth attack

An hour later, around 16:30 p.m., the MV Sophie 2, another Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, sends a distress call indicating that it has been hit by a missile. The USS Carney again responded to the distress call but reported no significant damage. While " on the way to provide support ", the American ship however shot down a drone " heading in his direction ».

Precedents

These attacks come after the capture of a British ship (read: [News] The Houthis hijack an “Israeli” ship in the Red Sea. Several European sailors captured). The previous weekend, the American Navy had already foiled, this time, an attack by Somali pirates against a tanker in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen (read: [In brief] The attack on Central Park foiled. Five Somali pirates arrested)

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

1. A well-known ship. Its Ukrainian and Filipino crew did not hesitate, in March 2022, to pose on the deck of the boat to denounce “ the horror of war » in Ukraine and “ the bombings of the Russian occupiers ". A message broadcast on Facebook.

Document: the communicated from CentCom