Yemeni Armed Forces Strike Israeli-Bound Ship in Gulf of Aden in Support of Gaza

Gulf of Aden – September 1, 2024

The spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces announced that Yemen’s forces successfully carried out a military operation targeting an Israeli-bound ship in the Gulf of Aden. The operation, which involved the use of multiple missiles and drones, was conducted in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, who are currently under intense Israeli military assault.

The targeted vessel, identified as the Liberian-flagged container ship *Groton*, was reportedly struck because the company that owns it violated Yemen’s decision to ban entry to ports in occupied Palestine. According to the Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the operation was executed with precision, causing damage to the ship.

“We carried out a military operation targeting the *Groton* ship in the Gulf of Aden because the company that owns it violated Yemen’s decision to ban entry to the ports of occupied Palestine,” Saree stated. He further emphasized that the naval operations of the Yemeni Armed Forces would continue until the Israeli aggression against Gaza ceases and the blockade on the besieged enclave is fully lifted.

The British maritime safety agency, UKMTO, confirmed that two missiles were fired at the Groton, exploding near the vessel approximately 240 kilometers east of the Gulf of Aden. Fortunately, the ship’s crew remained unharmed, and the vessel is now proceeding to its next port of call. The Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) later reported that one of the missiles had caused minor damage to the ship.

This recent attack marks the second time the Groton has been targeted by Yemeni forces. In August, Yemeni naval and missile forces launched a similar operation against the same vessel, also in the Gulf of Aden.

The escalation of maritime attacks comes amid a broader regional conflict, with Yemen positioning itself as a supporter of the Palestinian cause. Since October 7, Israel has been engaged in a full-scale war on Gaza following Hamas’ Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, a large-scale attack launched in response to Israel’s long-standing policies of occupation and military aggression against Palestinians.

The Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in massive casualties, with Palestinian health officials reporting that at least 40,700 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, have been killed, and over 93,855 injured. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate under the relentless assault, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for an immediate ceasefire.

Yemen’s involvement in the maritime attacks reflects the growing tensions in the region as various actors respond to the ongoing violence in Gaza. The Yemeni Armed Forces have vowed to sustain their naval operations, targeting vessels linked to Israel or companies that do business with Israel, as a form of resistance against what they describe as Israel’s “aggression and blockade.”

As investigations into the latest attack continue, the international community remains on high alert, with concerns over the security of maritime routes in the region and the potential for further escalation in the already volatile Middle East.