Missile From Yemen Misses A Container Ship Maersk; Houthi Claims It Hit, Maersk Denies (Photo: instagram.com/maersk_official)

Continuing its pressure campaign on Israel to stop its relentless offensive on Gaza, Yemen’s Houthis fired a ballistic missile on Thursday at a Maersk container ship, which was travelling through the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Houthis claimed that it conducted a military operation against Maersk and hit the vessel with a drone. The Houthis who made the claim have not released any evidence. The ship according to Houthis was heading towards Israel.

However, Maersk, the Danish shipping company, said it was targeted, and denied the claims made by Houthis, saying that the vessel and its crew are safe and “was not hit,” Reuters reported.

The company also called on the international community to adopt a “political action” to ensure de-escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“The current situation puts seafarer lives at risk and is unsustainable for global trade. As it cannot be solved by the global shipping industry on its own, we call on political action to ensure a swift de-escalation,” the company said in a statement.

Yehia Sareea, Houthi spokesperson said later on Thursday that the group hit the vessel because it did not hear the warning issued by the group.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) however confirmed the attack was carried out by the ballistic missiles and had not caused destruction or injuries. “The missiles were splashed harmlessly in the water near the Maersk Gibraltar,” it added. Routers reported that requesting anonymity, a US official told the news agency “Houthis shot at the Maersk vessel but missed and were unsuccessful in forcing the ship to stop.”

Yemen’s Houthis have, however, issued warnings and asserted that they will continue similar attacks until Israel stop its attacks in Gaza. Houthis have been carrying out attacks by firing drones and missiles at Israel and attacking vessels in the Redsea as a show of support for the sufferings of Palestinians.