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British Cargo Sinking After Attack

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

SANAA/CAIRO (Worthy News) – A British cargo ship was sinking in the Gulf of Aden after Houthi rebels attacked it and two other U.S. vessels in the region, Israeli and British sources said Tuesday.

The UK-registered Rubymar, whose cargo is unknown, was sailing from the United Arab Emirates to Bulgaria when it was struck, explained Ambrey, a British maritime intelligence firm.

The security firm in charge of safety on the ship said the crew evacuated after two missiles hit. They were picked up by another commercial ship, which took them to Djibouti, officials said.

“We know she was taking in water,” the security firm LSS-SAPU said. “There is nobody on board now. The owners and managers are considering options for towage.”

Yemen’s Houthi militants also said Monday they attacked two U.S. ships, Sea Champion and Navis Fortuna, in the Gulf of Aden.

“The targeting operation was carried out with a number of appropriate naval missiles, and the casualties were accurate and direct, thanks to Allah,” the group’s military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, said in a statement.

There were no immediate independent reports of casualties in these attacks.

UNDERWATER VESSELS

However, the decision by the Houthis to use unmanned “underwater vessels” presents a new danger, according to observers familiar with the situation.

The Iran-backed group already used ballistic missiles and small watercraft as well as helicopters in its attacks on ships, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says.

It says its “actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.”

However, there were questions about whether the Houthis can and will be deterred.

Iran pressed the group in October to join the Hezbollah and Hamas groups in initiating attacks on Israel, according to Israeli sources.

In addition, Iran operationalized militias in Iraq and Syria to attack U.S. forces who have made clear they will attack ships of Israel and its allies, officials explained.