A Greek bulk carrier was hit by a missile fired by Houthi rebels off Yemen

A Greek bulk carrier has been hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen, private maritime risk firm Ambre said on Tuesday (Jan 16). Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack in the evening, saying they had launched an operation. “goal” Using “Multiple Missiles”and warned that they would continue their attacks “To protect Yemen and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people”.

A ship flying the flag of Malta “Missile struck while crossing the southern Red Sea to the north”, northwest of the Yemeni city of al-Salib, the bulk carrier continued on its course, Ambrey said. According to Ambrey, the bulk carrier was heading for the Suez Canal. The ship and others from the same fleet have been docked in Israel since October 7.

A Greek Navy Ministry source in touch with the company that owns the ship clarified that it is a bulk carrier. GeographiaThere were twenty-four crew members on board. “He sustained minimal damage following the impact.” And “is a seafarer”, confirmed that the attack took place 76 miles (about 140 kilometers) northwest of Yemen, and that there were no Greek sailors on board and that there were no injuries from the gunfire. The Geographia came to Israel from Vietnam, and “Damage assessment to be carried out at Suez”referred to the same source.

12% of world trade transit area

The attacks in this vital region, through which 12% of world trade passes, prompted the United States and the United Kingdom to attack rebels in Yemen on Friday and Saturday. It responded by firing a missile at a US cargo ship on Monday without causing any injuries or major damage.

According to published reports, the Shell oil group will not send its vessels through the Red Sea until further notice Wall Street Journal. According to the Economic Daily, the group took the decision last week, taking into account these threats to its crew and the risk of an oil spill in the region in the event of an attack. A Shell spokesman declined to comment when contacted by Agence France-Presse.

The “Dangerous Escalation” Affects liquefied natural gas (LNG) traffic in the Red Sea “Like all other commercial goods”Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahmane Al Thani warned on Tuesday during the World Economic Forum in Davos. The Houthi attacks have forced many ship owners to avoid the area and take longer routes around the tip of Africa, at the cost of transportation costs and longer delivery times.

On Monday, according to Bloomberg News, at least five LNG-carrying ships operated by Qatar, heading for the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait that separates the Arabian Peninsula from the Horn of Africa, were detained off the coast of Oman.