Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Yemen's Houthi group said they could only reconsider their missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea after Israel ended its aggression on the Gaza Strip.
When asked whether they would stop attacks if a ceasefire deal was reached, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters the situation would be reviewed if the Gaza siege ends and humanitarian aid is free to enter.
“There will be no cessation of any operations that help the Palestinian people except when the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the siege cease,” he said, ahead of new reports of other alleged attacks, Wednesday (28/2/2024).
A Greek-owned Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier on Tuesday reported that a missile hit waters 3 nautical miles from the ship, which is located 63 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, Yemen, British maritime security firm Ambrey said.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also sent an alert about the incident, adding that the crew and vessel were reported to be safe and proceeding to their next port.
There was a Panama-flagged chemical/product tanker belonging to the UAE about 2 nautical miles away at the time the missile was spotted, Ambrey said.
In what appeared to be a related incident, the Houthi-owned Al-Masira television said late Tuesday that the US and Britain jointly launched two airstrikes on Hodeidah, Yemen's oldest port city.
Shipping risks have increased due to repeated Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait since November in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war.
Maersk reminded its clients to prepare for disruptions in the Red Sea that will last into the second half of the year and to incorporate longer transit times into their supply chain planning.
Galaxy Maritime Ltd, owner of the British-registered car carrier Galaxy Leader that was hijacked by the Houthis on November 19 along with 25 crew members, said on Tuesday that the sailors from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Mexico, Romania and the Philippines had “nothing to do with the conflict in the East Middle”.
“The families of those detained are now calling on the international community to take action to ensure the immediate release of the crew,” Galaxy Maritime said.
Meanwhile, the fate of the abandoned cargo ship Rubymar is unclear after it was hit by a Houthi missile on February 18 in the southern Red Sea, causing a fuel leak. If sunk, it would be the first ship sinking linked to the ongoing Houthi campaign.
The ship charter broker told Reuters they were looking for work ships to plug holes caused by Houthi missiles.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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