Suspected missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targets Malta-flagged ship in the Red Sea
PBS NewsHourApr 25
The Facts
According to a statement from shipping company Maersk, two ships operated by its US subsidiary Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) and accompanied by the US Navy were targeted by Houthi strikes and required to turn around as they transported US military supplies along the Bab al-Mandab Strait off the coast of Yemen on Wednesday.
In its statement, Maersk said, "While en route, both ships reported seeing explosions close by and the US Navy accompaniment also intercepted multiple projectiles." The ships and crew were unharmed and were escorted back to the Gulf of Aden by the US Navy.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
The Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea will not stop until all residents of the Gaza Strip have access to food, medicine, and supplies. These attacks will last long as Israel's aggression continues and humanitarian aid is prevented from reaching the victims of this ruthless bombardment. These attacks are not interrupting international navigation of the Red Sea, and only ships connected to Israel are being targeted, with the majority of international ships transiting the area undisturbed.
Pro-establishment narrative
The Houthis may say that they are launching these attacks against ships in the Red Sea to protest the war in Gaza, but the truth is that the majority of the vessels that they are targeting have no connection to Israel. The US is doing its best to protect shipping in the region and keep the peace, but these attacks and others by Iran-backed groups against US forces in Iraq and Syria risk escalating the conflict and widening tensions in the Middle East.