Tanker Attacked By Houthis.

Ever since the Hamas-Israel war kicked off on October 7 last year, Houthi rebels have been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis allege that many of these vessels are linked to Israel. The Houthis are standing with Gaza. They are targeting vessels heading for Israel or that have links to Israel.

Vessels have been hit by Houthi rebels from Yemen with varying degrees of success. One vessel was sunk and others have been damaged. In response to these attacks the US, UK, and others have deployed naval vessels to prevent Houthi forces in the Read Sea from attacking ships. Clashes have occurred between Houthi forces and these naval patrols. Usually, the Houthis come off worst. The US, UK, and others have bombed Houthi targets in response to Houthi attacks on shipping. Even Israel bombed them when a Houthi missile got through and damaged a building in Israel causing damage, a fatality, and injuries. However, the Houthis have remained resolute and have continued their attacks.

The Houthis are supported by Iran and are one of the groups included in the 'Axis of Resistance' along with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran itself. Israel is bracing for a large attack from Hezbollah and Iran after Israel assassinated a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut. Also, taking out Hamas' leader Ismail Haniyeh who was attending the swearing-in ceremony of the new Iranian President. Since then Iran and Hezbollah have threatened something big in revenge. However, that was weeks ago, nothing has transpired from either side yet. The US has sent an aircraft carrier with attendant ships to say its mission is to protect Israel. Whether this made Iran and Hezbollah shelve their strike back is unknown. Iran said in its latest statement that it is putting its forces on hold to see what happens with yet another Hamas-Israel ceasefire.

A tanker carrying 25 crew and 150,000 tonnes of oil has been struck by Houthi forces 90 miles from a port in Houthi-controlled Yemen. Yemeni naval vessels were seen firing missiles and drones at the tanker. These projectiles caused a fire onboard the MV Sounion. A French military vessel picked up the 25 crewmen as the tanker floated without power. The engine must have been destroyed when the Houthis attacked it. This is the worst attack in weeks. Houthi command confirmed that they were behind the attack. Their military addresses are delivered by a spokesman in full military attire. This Houthi officer must think his audience is deaf as he has a tendency to shout Houthi propaganda.

The British ambassador to Yemen (yes we have one) has said oil leaking from the vessel could cause untold environmental damage. The Greek owners of the struck vessel have also chimed in to agree with the British ambassador. The owners have highlighted the continuing danger to international shipping that Houthi forces pose. Whether Western forces will go on yet another bombing spree in Houthi territory in answer to this attack remains to be seen.

The Houthis are battle-hardened people. They are a Shia Muslim group as I said, armed by Iran. They first emerged as a rebel group opposed to Yemen's government who fled into exile. The Saudis and Western forces fought a war against the Houthis backing the exiled Yemeni government. Despite being bombed time and again Houthi forces remained resilient. Even taking the fight to the Saudis with drone and missile attacks of their own. The war on the Houthis accomplished nothing. It ended leaving the Houthis in control of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The Houthis also hold a large swathe of land around Sanaa.

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