Houthi Rebels Seize Cargo Ship in Red Sea, Prompting Accusations Between Yemen, Israel, and Iran
Houthi Rebels Seize Cargo Ship in Red Sea, Prompting Accusations Between Yemen, Israel, and Iran
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have reportedly commandeered a cargo ship, allegedly owned by an Israeli businessman, escalating tensions in the southern Red Sea. Israel promptly labeled the incident an “Iranian act of terrorism,” significantly impacting global maritime security.
Confirming the ship's hijacking, a Houthi military spokesman disclosed to Al Jazeera that their fighters took control of the British-owned, Japanese-operated vessel, Galaxy Leader. The ship, partially owned by an Israeli businessman, was en route from Turkey to India with approximately 22 people onboard.
Al Jazeera’s Mohammed al-Attab, reporting from Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, highlighted the Houthis' announcement of plans to target Israeli-flagged ships, cautioning international sailors against affiliating with such companies.
Yemen’s Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that they are adhering to Islamic principles in treating the crew while reaffirming their intent to consider any vessel associated with Israel or its supporters as legitimate targets.
The ongoing conflict between the Houthis, backed by Tehran, and Israel has seen multiple missile and drone attacks since the recent assault on Gaza, resulting in casualties, including thousands of Palestinians.
Israel, dissociating itself from the ship’s ownership and crew makeup, condemned the hijacking as an Iranian-sponsored act of terrorism, intensifying tensions and posing risks to global shipping routes, as stated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
Reiterating that no Israelis were aboard, Israel’s military denied the ship’s Israeli affiliation and emphasized its international crew composition hailing from Ukraine, Mexico, the Philippines, Bulgaria, among other countries.
Amidst accusations, a United States defense official affirmed monitoring the situation closely. Al Jazeera correspondents reported on the involvement of an Israeli businessman in the shipping company, citing a previous interception of one of his vessels in 2021.
Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari, reporting from Tehran, emphasized the lack of evidence supporting Israel's claims of Iranian involvement in the hijacking, adding complexity to the already tense situation.
The conflict in Gaza has heightened regional tensions, with concerns from international organizations and political leaders about a potential escalation to a broader regional conflict. Despite past disassociation, Iran hinted at the conflict's potential spread due to Israel's continuous actions against the Palestinian population in Gaza.
