US carries out new strike against Houthis in Yemen

The US military carried out a new strike against anti-ship ballistic missiles in a Houthi-controlled part of Yemen Tuesday.

The strike targeted four anti-ship missiles that were on the brink of being deployed and posed an imminent threat to merchant ships and US Navy vessels, US officials speaking on the condition of anonymity told ABC News.

The strike – which was first reported by Reuters – was the latest incident in the ongoing tug-of-war in the Red Sea with the Iran-backed Houthis, who have ramped up their attacks on ships in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

News of the hits came amid reports that British oil company Shell had suspended shipments through the Red Sea due to fears of further escalation, the Wall Street Journal said. 

The heads of two international banking groups at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos also privately warned that the ongoing crisis could result in dire inflationary pressures that could reverse interest rate cuts and otherwise jeopardize the US economy.

War risk insurance premiums for cargo moving through the Red Sea is already on the rise, sources said.

As the Houthis continue to threaten international shipping in thee name of the Palestinian cause, some containers have been pausing of completely skipping from the Red Sea’s route to the Suez Canal.

About 12 percent of the world’s shipping relies on the Red Sea to access the canal.

Also on Tuesday, the Houthis struck a Malta-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier that was northbound in the Red Sea, about 76 nautical miles northwest of the Yemeni port of Saleef, a security firm and two Greek shipping ministries said.

The ship – known as the Sografia – was struck using naval missiles, and “the hit was direct,” the group announced on X.

“The targeting operation came after the ship’s crew rejected warning calls, including fiery warning messages,” the statement read.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces continue to take all defensive and offensive measures within the legitimate right to defend dear Yemen and in confirmation of continued practical solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people,” it added.

The ship was en route from Vietnam to Israel with 24 crew on board and was empty on cargo when the attack took place, one of the Greek sources claimed.

“There were no injuries, only material damage,” the source explained, noting that the ship was still sailing, but would probably be re-routed for safety checks.

With Post wires