by Dan Williams (Reuters) Israel stated on Sunday that Yemen’s Houthis had seized a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship within the southern Pink Sea, describing the incident as an “Iranian act of terrorism” with penalties for worldwide maritime safety.
The Houthis stated they’d seized a ship in that space, however described it as Israeli. “We’re treating the ship’s crew in accordance with Islamic rules and values,” a spokesperson for the group stated, making no reference to the Israeli account.
Additionally Learn: Heightened Risk Degree in Pink Sea Prompts Concern by Mike Schuler
The Houthis, an ally of Tehran, have been launching long-range missile and drone salvoes at Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian Hamas militants combating in the Gaza Strip.
Final week, the Houthi chief stated his forces would make additional assaults on Israel they usually might goal Israeli ships within the Pink Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
A U.S. Protection official stated, “we’re conscious of the state of affairs and are carefully monitoring it.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace stated a ship – which it didn’t title – had been seized, “There have been no Israelis on the ship,” and Israel was not concerned in its possession oroperation, it added.
“That is one other Iranian act of terrorism that represents an escalation in Iran’s belligerence towards the residents of the free world, with concomitant worldwide ramifications vis-à-vis the safety of world transport routes.”
Earlier on Sunday the Houthis stated all ships owned or operated by Israeli corporations, or carrying the Israeli flag might be focused.
(Writing by Dan Williams; Extra reporting by Mohammed Alghobari in Aden; Modifying by Jane Merriman, Hugh Lawson and Andrew Heavens)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023.
