Iran-Backed Houthis Seize Cargo Ship, Israel Labels Act 'Terrorism'
- Posted on November 21, 2023
- International Affairs
- By Arijit Dutta
- 255 Views
A video released by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis reveals the hijacking of the India-bound "Galaxy Leader" ship in the Red Sea. Israel denounces the act as terrorism, attributing it to Iran, leading to heightened maritime security concerns. Iran refutes the claims, asserting Houthi independence. Global tensions rise as maritime clashes escalate.
In
a significant development, a video surfaced showing Yemen's Houthis, backed by
Iran, hijacking the India-bound "Galaxy Leader" ship in the Red Sea
on Sunday. Gunmen, arriving via helicopter, took control of the vessel, holding
the crew at gunpoint. The incident prompted global concerns about maritime security,
especially in the Red Sea.
Initially thought to be linked to Israel, the Prime Minister's Office clarified that the ship had no Israeli connections and accused Iran of orchestrating the hijacking. The vessel, owned by a British company and operated by a Japanese firm, became the focal point of international tensions as Israel condemned the Iranian attack on the ship.
Houthi
rebels, allies of Tehran, have previously launched attacks on Israel in support
of Palestine. The recent threat to target Israeli ships in the Red Sea raises
alarms. Israel warns Iran of consequences for violating international maritime
security, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
The
Houthi rebels declared their intention to target ships flying the Israeli flag
or operated by Israeli companies. Nations were urged to evacuate citizens from
such vessels. Meanwhile, the US confirmed the Houthi hijacking, heightening the
standoff.
Iran
rejected the claims, insisting it was an independent act by Houthi rebels. In a
press conference, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused Israel of diverting
attention from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Tensions persist as the international
community grapples with the implications of this Red Sea shipping crisis.