(LibertySons.org) – The Israel-Hamas war has sparked tensions in the Middle East, and many are worried it will soon escalate. The US has become a target due to its support of the Jewish state. US troops have come under attack in Iraq and now Syria. In the midst of all this, the Houthis, a militant group, have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea, significantly affecting global trade. A commercial ship belonging to the US was recently struck.
On January 17, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that Houthis had launched an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and struck M/V Genco Picardy, a US-owned and operated bulk carrier ship, around 8:30 p.m. Sanaa time. The press release stated that there were no injuries to report and only minimal damage that didn’t affect the vessel’s seaworthiness. It continued along on its way.
The next day, CENTCOM issued another release, this time announcing Houthi terrorists had fired “two anti-ship ballistic missiles at M/V Chem Ranger,” a tanker ship owned by the US and operated by Greece. No injuries or damage were reported to the vessel. However, it was the third attack on commercial shipping vessels in as many days.
These attacks have persisted despite the US warning — and following through — that if the Houthis continued targeting vessels in the sea, there would be consequences. True to its word, the US launched several strikes against Houthi locations. That hasn’t stopped the militant group from wreaking havoc on the Red Sea, however.
On January 17, the Biden Administration moved forward with designating the Houthi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group. That will go into effect on February 16. The organization had previously carried the designation under the Trump Administration, but President Joe Biden overturned that shortly after taking office. The notice said the designation will be reviewed if the attacks cease.
~Here’s to Our Liberty!
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