YAF target two ships in Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, one at risk of sinking

The Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) carried out two military operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in response to the injustice faced by the Palestinian people and their Resistance fighters, as well as the American and British aggression against Yemen, announced YAF spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree on Thursday.

In a televised statement, Saree confirmed that the first operation targeted the oil vessel SOUNION, which is owned by a company that deals with the Israeli occupation entity. He pointed out that the vessel was struck with accuracy while navigating in the Red Sea and is now at risk of sinking.

On Wednesday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Coordination Center (UKMTO) said the Greek-flagged oil tanker was attacked 77 nautical miles (142 kilometers) west of the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.

Unidentified attackers in two boats reportedly fired four shells at the tanker, causing it to lose control. The Greek company Delta Tankers, which owns the SOUNION, confirmed that the vessel was adrift following the incident.

Saree mentioned that the two vessels violated the ban imposed by the YAF on entering the ports of occupied Palestine.

As for the second operation, the YAF spokesperson indicated that it targeted the Sw North Wind I vessel, also belonging to a company engaged with the Israeli occupation. The Brigadier General noted that the ship was hit with precision while sailing in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

According to Saree, the two operations were carried out by the Yemeni Naval Forces, the Air Force, and the Missile Force using a combination of military boats, ballistic and cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Yemeni Armed Forces reaffirm their commitment to maintaining a maritime blockade on the Israeli occupation entity and targeting all vessels associated with or owned by companies dealing with it within the declared military operations zone mentioned in previous statements, the spokesperson affirmed.

Elsewhere, Saree said the YAF emphasize that their operations will continue until the Israeli aggression ends and the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip is lifted.

Earlier on Wednesday, a Yemeni source confirmed to our reporters that the number of US, UK, and Israeli-bound ships has decreased dramatically following the July 20 Israeli aggression on Hodeidah, which killed several people and injured dozens of others.

The source highlighted a state of “panic and caution” among these ships and their companies.