Yemeni rebels see ships in the Red Sea headed for Israel as a “legitimate target.” Now a German shipping company’s freighter is also in their crosshairs.
After attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, the shipping companies Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are not allowing any more of their ships to sail through the Suez Canal for the time being. The situation will be decided again on Monday, a spokesman for the Hamburg-based shipping company Hapag-Lloyd told the German Press Agency. The Danish shipping company Maersk said it was deeply concerned about the escalated security situation in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The recent attacks are alarming and pose a significant threat to the safety of seafarers.
The Hapag-Lloyd freighter “Al Jasrah” was attacked in the strait between Yemen and Djibouti. “There is material damage on board, the crew is unharmed,” said the shipping company’s spokesman. Containers in particular were damaged; the structure of the ship was not affected. The ship was able to continue its journey. According to the information, the freighter had sailed from Piraeus in Greece through the Suez Canal and was heading towards Singapore. According to media reports, there was a fire on board after the shelling.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said that a few days ago the USA made a request to the German Navy as to whether it would be able to provide support in the Red Sea, “without any specific demands being made.” He said: “This request is currently being examined and will certainly be discussed with all necessary responsible bodies in the government.”
According to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the United States is working with the international community, regional partners and around the world to find solutions to counter the threat. “We are forming a coalition,” he said. The Houthis therefore pose a significant threat to freedom of navigation, commercial shipping and legitimate trade along a vital artery on the Bab al-Mandeb and the Red Sea. Iran, as the mastermind behind the Houthis’ attacks, is responsible for taking measures to stop the attacks, said Sullivan.
Yemeni Houthis claim attack on container ships
The Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen say they have attacked two container ships in the Red Sea. The Iranian-backed rebels said the ships were on their way to Israel. The crews of the ships therefore ignored warnings. The Houthis then attacked them with two rockets, it was said. These are said to have been the ships “MSC Alanya” and “MSC Platinum III”. It remained unclear when the attacks took place.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have repeatedly attacked Israel with drones and rockets, among other things. They also declared ships of any nationality heading to Israel a “legitimate target” for their armed forces until the Gaza Strip received the food and medicine it needed.
Baerbock condemns Houthi attacks on ships
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has condemned the attack by Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen on a container freighter belonging to the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd in the Red Sea. “The federal government strongly condemns all attacks on ships, including of course the attack on the Hapag Lloyd ship,” said the Green politician during a visit by the acting Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib to Berlin. “The Houthis’ attacks on civilian merchant ships in the Red Sea must stop immediately,” she demanded.
The attacks also underlined “that the security threat to Israel comes not only from Hamas in Gaza, but also from the Houthis,” said Baerbock. They threatened international shipping and freedom of trade routes. She also urges the Houthis to release the hijacked ship “Galaxy Leader” and its crew immediately and unharmed. Baerbock thanked Saudi Arabia in particular for helping to thwart further attacks by the Houthis – both in the Red Sea and with drones and missiles on Israel.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) said during a visit to Wunstorf near Hanover: “We are currently examining the request and the options that exist. But we are not at the end of the examination yet.” A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense explained in Berlin that a few days ago the USA made a request to the German Navy as to whether it would be able to provide support in the Red Sea, “without any specific demands being made.”
Not an isolated case in the Red Sea
Yemeni Houthi rebels recently attacked ships in the Red Sea. Just yesterday, German shipowners demanded protective measures from the federal government and the EU. With over 1,800 ships, the German merchant fleet is the seventh largest among the world’s major merchant fleets.
One of the world’s most important shipping routes runs along the Yemeni coast to and from the Suez Canal in Egypt. This canal connects the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, providing the shortest sea route from Asia to Europe. Around ten percent of all world trade passes through the Red Sea.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have repeatedly attacked Israel with drones and rockets, among other things, and have threatened to prevent ships of all nationalities from passing through the Red Sea on their way to Israel.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
