DUBAI, Feb 7, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Yemen's Huthi rebels launched six missiles
toward two merchant ships on Tuesday, reportedly causing light damage to one
of the vessels, the US military said.

The launches came three days after US and UK forces launched a wave of air
raids against the Iran-backed Huthis -- their third round of joint military
action in response to the rebels' persistent attacks on shipping.

"Iranian-backed Huthi militants fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM)
from Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf
of Aden", US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

Three of the missiles were aimed at the MV Star Nasia, a Marshall Islands-
flagged bulk carrier that is Greek owned and operated, the military command
said.

"MV Star Nasia reported an explosion near the ship causing minor damage but
no injuries", while a second missile later landed nearby and a third was shot
down by a US destroyer, CENTCOM said.

The other three missiles were apparently aimed at the MV Morning Tide, a
Barbados-flagged, UK-owned cargo ship, but they exploded in the Red Sea
without causing damage.

The Huthis had earlier said they struck US and British ships in two Red Sea
attacks -- the latest among dozens of incidents that have disrupted global
shipping.

The Iran-backed rebels, who control much of the war-torn country, have been
harassing shipping in a campaign they say is in solidarity with Palestinians
in the Israel-Hamas war.

Huthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the first attack on Tuesday "targeted the
American ship Star Nasia, while the other targeted the British ship Morning
Tide".

- Trade disruption -

The Huthis "will carry out more military operations against all hostile
American-British targets" in self-defence, Saree warned on X, formerly
Twitter.

The Greek merchant marine ministry said the Star Nasia sustained material
damage but the hull did not appear to have been breached and no injuries were
reported among the Filipino crew.

The Huthis have either attacked or threatened commercial vessels more than 40
times since November 19, according to the Pentagon.

In a helicopter assault that day, the Huthis captured the Galaxy Leader, an
Israel-linked cargo vessel, and its 25 international crew members, who
include at least two Bulgarian nationals.

They forced it to the Hodeidah port, where it has remained.

Bulgarian Transport Minister Georgy Gvozdeykov said Tuesday that the sailors
of the Galaxy Leader were "safe and sound" and would shortly return to
Bulgaria.

"The information we have... on the sailors of the Galaxy Leader captured in
the Red Sea is that they are well, safe and sound and are staying in a
hotel," the minister told private Bulgarian television station bTV.

The Huthi attacks have prompted some shipping companies to detour around
southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, a vital route that normally carries
about 12 percent of global maritime trade.

Most trade between Asia and Europe usually passes through the Red Sea and the
Suez Canal that leads to the Mediterranean Sea.

According to the International Monetary Fund's PortWatch platform, total
transit volume through the Suez Canal was down 37 percent this year by
January 16 compared with the same period a year earlier.