Houthi naval forces "carried out an operation targeting the British oil tanker Pollux in the Red Sea" with missiles, rebel spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement. The latest attack came after the US military earlier on Friday said it conducted strikes "against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea". Repeated strikes on Houthi targets by the United States, as well as Britain, have failed to halt the rebel attacks. The rebels have also vowed "response and punishment" after the US and British strikes, and say they are acting in solidarity with "the Palestinian people." European Union foreign ministers will meet Monday in Brussels to formally launch a naval mission to help protect international shipping in the Red Sea against Houthi attacks, officials said on Friday.

Source: The Hindu February 17, 2024 23:47 UTC