The cargo ship “True Hope” was hit by a missile about 50 miles southwest of the Yemeni port city of Aden. There were 20 sailors and three armed security personnel on board.

At least two people were killed in an attack by Houthi rebels on a cargo ship off the coast of Yemen on Wednesday, according to British sources. These were the first reports of casualties since pro-Iranian militants began their attacks on merchant ships in mid-November. A Greek ship operator said the cargo ship “True Hope” was hit by a missile.

There were 20 sailors and three armed security personnel on board. A burning cargo ship floats in the ocean. Initially, ship sources said three sailors were missing and four others suffered severe burns.

Aden was hit by a rocket in front of the port city

The cargo ship was hit by a missile about 50 miles southwest of the Yemeni port city of Aden, Liberian owner True Confidence Shipping and Greek operator Third of January Maritime said. The flight had 15 people from the Philippines, 4 from Vietnam, 2 from Sri Lanka and one each from India and Nepal. The ship sailed under the flag of Barbados.

“At least two innocent sailors have died,” the British Embassy in Yemen told Portal X. This is the sad but inevitable consequence of merciless Houthi attacks on international shipping. “This has to stop.” Deaths were confirmed from the US.

Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack. The militants have repeatedly attacked merchant ships in recent months – according to them, the Israeli military has been operating in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the militants attacked Israel in early October. Both the Houthis and Hamas are supported by Israel's arch-enemy, Iran. The Houthis have said they will attack ships associated with Israel, the United States and Britain. Recently, a badly damaged British cargo ship “Rubymar” was sunk in an attack by the Houthis. However, in shipping circles, cargo from all countries is considered to be at risk when traveling through seas in the Middle East.

Houthi attacks have led major shipping companies such as Denmark's Maersk and Germany's Habach-Lloyd to avoid the Red Sea. Instead of taking the short route from Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal, many ships take a detour through the southern tip of Africa. This leads to delays and higher costs for shipping companies, but also causes freight rates to rise.

Calls for drastic action may become louder

Under the leadership of Greece, the EU wants to protect merchant ships from further attacks by Houthi rebels. For this purpose, Germany sent the warship “Hessen” in February, which is already engaged in combat operations against drones. The US and Great Britain have already launched regular retaliatory strikes against the Houthis. Deaths from Houthi attacks could prompt calls for a tougher crackdown, experts say.

One of the most important shipping lanes for world trade passes through Yemen, through which goods from the Indian Ocean reach the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal in Egypt. In response to the attacks, the United States and Great Britain launched several military strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. The European Union has launched a military operation to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea, in which Germany is participating with the warship “Hessen”. (APA/Reuters)