Houthis announce they have struck a new ship

Houthi Military Spokesperson Yahya Saree stated in an announcement to the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah television that they targeted a ship heading to Israeli ports with a cruise missile and that the missile hit the target directly.

Saree said, "In support of the Palestinian people who are being subjected to aggression and a blockade in the Gaza Strip, and in opposition to the oppression against them, the naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces (Houthis) carried out an operation against the ship Zografia, which was sailing toward the ports of occupied Palestine (Israel)."

Stating that the attack in question was carried out with a number of cruise missiles, Saree noted that they hit the target with "precision."

THE SITUATION IN THE RED SEA

The Houthis in Yemen (Ansar Allah Movement), supported by Iran, began seizing commercial ships they claimed were linked to Israeli companies off the coast of Yemen on October 31, citing a reaction to Israel's attacks in Gaza, and began launching drone and missile attacks on some of them.

During this period, U.S. forces announced multiple times that they had shot down missiles and kamikaze drones launched from Yemen.

Following the Houthis' actions, numerous shipping companies decided to suspend their voyages in the Red Sea.

On December 18, the U.S. announced the creation of a multinational "maritime task force" called "Operation Prosperity Guardian" against Houthi forces, with the participation of a group of countries, citing the threat to global maritime trade security.

On December 31, 3 Houthi speedboats attempting to seize a ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea were fired upon by U.S. helicopters.

On January 10, the Houthis announced that a U.S. ship in the Red Sea was targeted with missiles and kamikaze drones on the grounds that it was supporting Israel.

On January 11, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution submitted by the U.S. and Japan demanding an immediate end to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Approximately 12 percent of global trade is conducted via the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and offers the shortest route between Europe and Asia.

News Source: AA