Missile Attack on Turkish-Owned Cargo Ship off Yemen Escalates Maritime Tensions

The Turkish-owned cargo ship Anadolu S was targeted by a missile from Iran-aligned Houthis off Yemen’s coast. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry is working to prevent future incidents following this escalation, which is part of a pattern of Houthi attacks on over 90 commercial ships since October 2023, allegedly in response to geopolitical conflicts.

On November 20, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry announced that a Panama-flagged cargo ship, Anadolu S, owned by a Turkish company, was targeted by a missile attack from the Iran-aligned Houthi movement off the coast of Yemen. The incident occurred in the Red Sea, where the Houthis have escalated their military activities. A military spokesperson for the Houthis claimed responsibility but did not provide specific details about the timing of the attack. The Anadolu S was reported to have been tracked in the Red Sea nearly five days prior to the announcement and was estimated to arrive at Port Qasim by November 23. The Houthis have been involved in a series of attacks on commercial vessels, asserting these actions are retaliatory against perceived injustices in Gaza.

The context of this incident is framed by the increasing tensions in the Red Sea, where since October 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 90 commercial ships. They have stated that these actions are in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, declaring their intent to focus on vessels associated with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel. The conflict has implications for regional trade routes and maritime security, particularly as Turkey has positioned itself ambiguously concerning Israel despite formal trade bans. Pro-Palestinian advocacy groups within Turkey contend that clandestine trade continues despite official restrictions.

In summary, the missile attack on the Turkish-owned cargo ship Anadolu S off the coast of Yemen highlights the escalating maritime tensions in the Red Sea instigated by the Houthis. These incidents appear to be part of a broader strategy linked to political and military conflicts in the region. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry is taking steps to mitigate future occurrences as it assesses the risks posed to its commercial vessels.

Original Source: www.duvarenglish.com