DUBAI: A merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden reportedly observed blasts near its premises, possibly the recent attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels aiming to hit the shipping route.
Houthi fire follows sinking of Tutor ship this week that appears a new upping of their campaign against ships in vital maritime lane due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza Strip supported by Iran.
Meanwhile, US officials are said to have ordered the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier leading America’s response to Houthi attacks, back home.
According to UK Maritime Trade Operations called United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center British military stated that explosions were seen around the vessel at approximately at 2359Z on 02 April, as reported by Master late Friday.
“Vessel is proceeding to its next port of call and crew safe,” UKMTO said without giving any more details if there was damage or not.
However, it takes them several hours or even many days for Houthi group to confirm their operation.
The video released on 2nd April shows one of these boats named “Tufan” (flood) which they said targeted Tutor.
Since November, Houthis have conducted over sixty specific strikes on vessels and launched other missiles and drones causing four sailors’ deaths. They have captured one boat and sent two others under water since then. The rebels say a series of strikes starting from May 30 carried out by U.S.-led coalition against Houthis have killed at least sixteen people injuring forty-two more persons
In March this year, Rubymar which carried fertilizer under Belize flag became first ever ship sunk in Red Sea after rebel attacked it and it had listed for days filling with water.
However, most attacked ships had no connection whatsoever with Hamas-Israel clashes as claimed so far by Houthis whenever they claim responsibility for such assaults targeted at naval vessels associated with UK, US or Israel.
At the same time, according to anonymous source cited by US Naval Institute’s news service, the Eisenhower is expected back at its Norfolk, Virginia homeport after over eight months of combat in what the Navy says is its most intense fighting since World War II. The report also said that another carrier had been sent to replace it in the Pacific.
USS Theodore Roosevelt is now closest American aircraft carrier known to be deployed in Asia with Roosevelt arriving on 1st April at Busan, South Korea due to continued Seoul’s tension with North Korea.
