Sana’a, Aug 31 (EFE).- Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility Saturday for a missile and drone attack on the container ship Groton, a cargo ship that had already been targeted by the insurgents in early August, just hours before operations to tow the burning tanker in the Red Sea begin.
The military spokesman for the HouthisYahya Sarea said in a statement that the operation was carried out with drones and missiles, while assuring that “the ship was hit with precision and received a direct hit.”
He also indicated that the attack occurred in the Gulf of Aden, gateway to the Red Sea, and that it took place because the company that owns the ship allegedly operates cargo ships bound for Israeli ports, something the Houthis are trying to prevent through their operations.
This is the second attack against the Liberian-flagged container ship, against which the Houthis launched a volley of ballistic missiles on August 3, and one projectile hit the ship, although it was able to continue on its route to its destination port.
However, it is not known whether the attack caused any damage to the vessel this time, as the British Navy’s Maritime Commercial Operations (UKMTO) reported last night that two missiles hit a nearby commercial ship, which continued sailing.
This new action takes place just hours before, according to the Houthis, the operation to tow the Greek oil tanker ‘M/V Sounion’ begins, which is on fire in the Red Sea with some 150,000 tons of crude oil on board after being attacked by the insurgents on the 21st.
Despite the rebels having “authorised” the rescue operation of the ship, which poses a major threat to the environment, they have continued to threaten to attack any ship heading to Israel in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
