Houthi rebels launched a missile strike against a merchant ship transiting the Red Sea, killing three civilian mariners aboard the MV True Confidence.
The U.S. and UK condemned the attack by the Iran-backed Houthis, who have been targeting shipping in the region.
While the Houthis falsely claimed it was an American vessel, the True Confidence was registered in Barbados and owned by a Liberian company.
UKMTO DAILY SUMMARY
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06 Mar 24https://t.co/tOa68P17Ig… #MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/pNUXHa4o2S
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) March 6, 2024
“In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful God Almighty… a victory for the oppression of the Palestinian people and ensuring a response to the American-British aggression against our country. The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a targeting operation against the American ship… The hit was accurate, thanks to God, which led to a fire breaking out on it,” Houthi ‘General’ Yahya Saree stated.
The attack prompted responses from Western officials who vowed to defend freedom of navigation and expressed condolences for the lost lives.
It was part of an increase in Houthi attacks on commercial shipping using ballistic missiles and drones.
“We will continue to stand up for freedom of navigation and back our words with actions,” Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron said.
“This was the sad but inevitable consequence of the Houthis recklessly firing missiles at international shipping. They must stop. Our deepest condolences are with the families of those that have died and those that were wounded,” the British Embassy to Yemen stated.
“It was not a US ship, contrary to what the Houthis claimed. These reckless attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis have not only disrupted global trade and commerce but also taken the lives of international sea — seafarers simply doing their jobs,” White House spokesman Karine Jean-Pierre said.
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