On Wednesday, White House officials warned that Iran-backed Houthi rebels were attacking the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels after a missile fired by the terrorist group hit a bulk cargo ship passing through the Middle East, killing three civilians. It is calling on governments around the world to join efforts to stop attacks on cargo ships in the Middle East. Red Sea.
The Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier True Confidence was targeted by Houthi missiles while sailing in the Gulf of Aden at around 11:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, forcing survivors to abandon ship. lost.
“Today, the Houthis continue to carry out reckless attacks on international commercial shipping, killing innocent civilians, a move that affects countries around the world,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a press conference. ” he said at a press conference. “These reckless attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis not only disrupted global trade and commerce, but also claimed the lives of international seafarers just doing their jobs.”
She went on to say that the White House extends its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
Yemen’s Houthis kill two sailors in first deadly attack on Red Sea transport ship since Hamas massacre
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre updated reporters on the attack on the M/V True Confidence, which killed three sailors, adding that the United States condemns the attack. (White House – Live)
The White House also condemned the attack by the Houthis and called on governments to take similar steps and work with the United States to halt the “horrific attacks.”
U.S. Central Command said Wednesday’s attack killed three people and injured at least four others, three of whom were in critical condition.
The ship was also severely damaged and was evacuated. I’m currently adrift.
Aircraft carrier Carney shoots down drone in Yemen, Houthis also fire missile
The Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier M/V True Confidence was hit by an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels while sailing in the Gulf of Aden, killing three people and killing at least four others. I was injured. . (US Central Command/X Post)
The full extent of the ship’s damage remained unknown, but the crew abandoned ship and dispatched lifeboats.
A US warship and an Indian Navy vessel arrived at the scene and attempted to assist in rescue efforts.
The Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters since November 2023. In response, the US and UK launched “self-defense” airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemeni territory.
Houthi missile attack sets ship ablaze in Gulf of Aden
The Barbados-flagged bulk carrier True Confidence. Photographed in March 2022 in Ravenna, Italy. The ship was attacked in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday. (Dario Bonazza, via Reuters/File)
Brigadier General Yahya Salih, the Houthi military spokesman, wrote on Wednesday that the attack on True Confidence was carried out in “retaliation for the US and British aggression against our country.”
The ship’s operator told Reuters the collision occurred about 50 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Aden.
The ship reportedly had a crew of 20 people and three armed guards.
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According to U.S. Central Command, this is the fifth anti-ship ballistic missile launched by the Houthis in the past two days. Two of the missiles struck two ships, including MSC Sky II and True Confidence, and the third was shot down by the USS Carney.
On March 2, the British-owned M/V Rubima sank in the Red Sea after being hit by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile two weeks earlier.
“We currently assess that the damage sustained to the Red Sea submarine cables was the result of the February 18 missile attack by the Houthis on the now-sunk M/V Rubimaa,” said U.S. Army Maj. Pete Nguyen. said. “Damage sustained on the M/V Rubimar as a result of Houthi attacks forced the crew to drop anchor and abandon ship. Preliminary assessments indicate that the anchor, dragged along the ocean floor, was “The attack by the Houthis continues and attempts to repair the cables have been thwarted.Despite claims to the contrary, the incident It highlights how reckless actions by members of the sect can negatively impact others in the community.”
FOX News’ Greg Norman and Megan Tome contributed to this report.
