Houthis claim they attacked US cargo ship with missiles
U.S. refutes claims of successful attack “obviously false”
亞~Northern Europe transportation costs rise 460% in three months
The United States and Britain launched a second joint attack on the Houthi base of Shiite rebels in Yemen on the 22nd. It has been 10 days since the first joint operation between the two countries on the 12th. Despite the recent series of attacks against the Houthis, they continued to attack civilian ships from various countries in the Red Sea area, so they launched a joint attack again. Since the war between the Palestinian armed group Hamas and Israel broke out in October last year, the Houthis have sided with Hamas and have been hostile toward Israel and the West.
On this day, the U.S. military’s Central Command released a video of fighter-bombers sortieing through social media ‘ The Houthis’ missile launchers, air defense systems, and weapons storage areas were said to be the main targets of the attack. The White House also said that U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunnack discussed the security situation in the Red Sea before the attack.
However, it is pointed out that despite repeated airstrikes by both countries, the blow to the Houthis is not significant. The mountainous region of northern Yemen, the main stage of their activities, is famous for its rugged terrain, so Western attacks relying on aerial attacks have limitations. The New York Times diagnosed that the Houthis’ offensive power is currently only 20 to 30 percent damaged.
In fact, on the same day, the Houthis attacked the US cargo ship ‘Ocean Jazz’ with a missile near the Gulf of Aden in the Red Sea. According to Reuters, a Houthi spokesperson also said, “We will continue to retaliate against the aggression of the US and UK. “Until there is a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, we will block ships from Israel or related countries from passing through the Red Sea,” he claimed.
However, the U.S. Central Command refuted, “The Houthis’ claim that the attack was successful is clearly false.” Commander Brad Cooper of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, which oversees the Middle East, said in an interview with the Associated Press that Iran is supporting the Houthis, saying, “We are clearly providing funding, resources, and training.”
Due to heightened geopolitical instability in the Red Sea area, shipping costs around the world are rapidly rising as more and more shipping companies from around the world travel long distances to avoid passing through the area. According to data from the international cargo transportation platform ‘Freito Terminal’ on the 19th, the current transportation cost for Asian and Northern European routes has increased by about 461% compared to mid-October last year, three months ago. The cost of traveling between Asia and North America also rose by about 130%.
Shipping companies in major countries, including Korea’s HMM, Denmark’s Maersk, and Taiwan’s Evergreen, are all choosing long detours such as South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope instead of passing through the Red Sea. Accordingly, German shipping company Hapakgreut announced on the 22nd, “We will also introduce land transportation services through Saudi Arabia’s railways and roads.”
As with the Red Sea, tensions in the Gaza Strip are increasing. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “21 Israeli soldiers were killed in the Gaza Strip on the 22nd. “It is sad news,” he revealed. This is the largest loss of life since the war broke out in October last year. The Israeli military disclosed that while soldiers were preparing to blow up a Hamas building, they were attacked by Hamas and the building collapsed, causing many deaths.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.