The war of ships raged in the Red Sea and the conflict rages over a strategic Strait
Financial Times
A US warship and several commercial vessels were attacked in the Red Sea on Sunday, according to the Pentagon, in a possible escalation of the repercussions of the Israeli conflict with Hamas in a vital trade corridor.
The Pentagon cited reports of strikes on merchant ships and the USS Carney, a destroyer that has been operating in the region and has shot down drones and missiles fired from Yemen in recent weeks, according to officials.
The Houthis, an Iranian-backed rebel group that controls part of Yemen, separately claimed responsibility for targeting two ships with a drone and a missile. The group said the ships were linked to Israel.
The British Royal Navy has confirmed that it has received reports of drone attacks and an explosion near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait between Yemen and Africa.
The attacks confirm fears that the military conflict between Israel and Hamas could spread throughout the Middle East, which would have serious implications for stability in the region and for World Trade.
The Red Sea and the waters that divide the Middle East and Africa form one of the most important trade corridors in the world, providing a shortcut for ships traveling between Asia and Europe.
In recent weeks, the shipping industry has been shaken by the growing threat to ships in the region, especially after Houthi forces boarded and hijacked a car carrier linked to Israeli businessman Avraham Ungar in November, turning it into a nearby port under their control.
But until Sunday, the relatively small number of Israeli-owned vessels was considered the most exposed, as some operators chose to stay away from the area.
Among the victims reported on Sunday was a Japanese-owned tanker that "experienced severe vibrations" from a nearby explosion and may have been " hit by an unidentified object," according to the maritime security group Ambri. Ambri, which provides consulting and armed protection for ship owners, also said that a South Korean-owned crude oil tanker "saw an explosion in the air above the ship".
Ship owners have expressed concern in recent days about the Houthis ' ability to identify Israeli-owned ships. Ownership of ships can change and ownership can sometimes be ambiguous.
The Pentagon did not specify which ships may have been attacked besides the USS Carney, adding that it will provide information when it becomes available. The Royal Navy, which also did not name other victims of the attacks, said, "We advise ships in the vicinity to be careful".
