[Watch] Israel Strikes Hijacked Ship Used for Houthi Surveillance

By
Mfame Editor
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25

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has confirmed an airstrike on a car carrier that had been hijacked by Houthi forces in November 2023. Footage released by the IAF reportedly shows Israeli warplanes hitting the vessel at the Ras Isa port in Yemen, where it had been held under Houthi control since its capture.

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A particular merchant vessel, previously seized, was recently targeted in an Israeli military operation. Israeli officials stated that this vessel was being utilized by Iran-backed forces as a surveillance platform, equipped with radar systems to track other vessels in international waters, thereby supporting their operations.

The targeted vessel is owned by an Isle of Man-registered entity, which is part of a UK-based group. This group is partly owned by an Israeli businessman.

In conjunction with the strike on this captured vessel, Israeli military forces also conducted bombings on Houthi-controlled ports in Hodeidah and Salif, as well as the Ras Qantib power plant. Israeli forces asserted that these ports were being used for the transfer of weapons from Iran. Before these attacks, warnings were issued to local civilians.

Houthi forces retaliated by launching a large number of what they claimed were domestically produced surface-to-air missiles, with a spokesperson stating their defense systems “effectively repelled” the Israeli assault. Hours later, two missiles were fired from Yemen towards Israel.

These Israeli operations followed closely after another merchant vessel, a Greek-operated bulk carrier, was targeted and sunk off the coast of Yemen. This marks the third commercial vessel to be sunk by the Houthis since November 2023, when they initiated a campaign of attacks on commercial shipping in response to the Gaza conflict.

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Source: Marine Insight