A ballistic missile fired from rebel-held territory in Yemen struck a Liberian-flagged cargo ship Friday in the Red Sea near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an assault that apparently sought to target a vessel struck earlier, a U.S. defense official said.
The official identified the vessel as the MSC Palatium III and said it remained unclear if anyone was hurt. The missile apparently was aimed at the Al Jasrah, which was set on fire by a projectile earlier Friday, the official said. Another missile launched in the salvo missed both ships.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. MSC, the vessel’s operator, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen did not immediately acknowledge either attack.
What is the thought process behind these attacks?
We all know from Operation Atalanta, the anti-piracy naval operation around Somalia by EU and UN, that interrupting trade routes is a speed run to get a strong military response. Around Yemen, even US naval forces got involved. But why would the Houthi rebels want that? Is there any gain for them from getting such an escalation? From my armchair point of view, this doesn’t look smart.
It’s about economic damage, if they cost everyone else 1,000,000,000 in lost revenue, deployed assets etc, for the price of a few low cost missiles then they succeed.
Could this be some kind of Mouse That Roared scenario?
Maybe they actually give a shit about the Palestinians and this isn’t just realpolitik bullshit.