US military targets Houthi radar sites in Yemen after a merchant sailor goes missing
Associated PressJun 20
Greek Oil Tanker Attacked, Evacuated in Red Sea
Above: A commercial ship ducks on Al-Salif port on the Red Sea coast off Hudaydah, on May 12, 2024, in the Red Sea, Yemen. Image copyright: Mohammed Hamoud/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
A Greek-flagged oil tanker, called Sounion, caught fire Wednesday morning in the Red Sea after projectiles were launched at it from two small boats off the coast of the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.
The attackers, who are suspected of being members of the Houthi rebel group, successfully struck the ship four times, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center — a UK military entity — though it wasn't clear if missiles or drones were involved.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
While the Houthis haven't claimed this attack yet, they often wait days to take responsibility for targeting innocent commercial cargo ships. The ones they have claimed total more than 80 since Oct. 7, most notably those linked to Israel, the US, and the UK, and even some heading to Iran. The Houthis' goal is to indiscriminately strike as many civilian boats as possible in gross violation of international norms.
Establishment-critical narrative
While the Western media covers this issue by painting Houthis as terrorists, they're neglecting to add that Israel has been bombing Yemeni shipping ports, too. For instance, Israel last month bombed Hodeidah — a critical location that millions of Yemenis rely on to receive humanitarian aid. Though Israel denies all claims against it, this bombing was likely a war crime and shows the ethics of the so-called "rules-based order" for what it is.