US raises concerns about Ukrainian ships being attacked in Gulf of Aden, Houthi issues warning

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on June 15 that the crew of the M/V Verbena, a cargo ship owned by Ukraine, flying the Palau flag and operated by Poland, had issued a distress call because they could not control the fire caused by the Houthi cruise missile attack on June 13, according to AFP.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea shouts slogans after making a statement about the forces' latest attacks during a protest in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 24, to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

CENTCOM also announced on social network X that the crew was rescued by another cargo ship. "The Iranian frigate IRIN Jamaran was 8 nautical miles from M/V Verbena and did not respond to distress calls," CENTCOM confirmed. There is currently no information about a response from Iran.

The Houthi missile attack on the M/V Verbena left one sailor seriously injured. He was evacuated by US forces.

Another cargo ship, the M/V Tutor, was also abandoned after being attacked by Houthi drone boats off the Yemeni city of Hodeida on June 12, causing the ship to take on severe water, according to the British Maritime Trade Operations (run by the British navy). The M/V Tutor is now drifting in the Red Sea.

"The Verbana is sinking in the Gulf of Aden. The Tutor is in danger of sinking in the coming hours," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on June 15, repeating Houthi threats against companies doing business with Israel, according to Reuters.

The Houthis have targeted ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023 in attacks they say are intended to show solidarity with Palestinians over the Hamas-Israel conflict in the Gaza Strip, and such attacks have increased this week, according to AFP.

In December 2023, the US launched a multinational plan to protect commercial shipping, including repelling threats at sea and in the air. The US and the UK also regularly conduct direct strikes on Houthi infrastructure in Yemen.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-neu-tinh-trang-tau-thuoc-ukraine-bi-tan-cong-o-vinh-eden-houthi-ra-canh-bao-185240616070224612.htm