While Israel has chosen to ignore the Iran-backed Houthi attacks until now, it was a matter of time before the attacks caused casualties demanding a response.
A Greek-owned ship sank in the Red Sea after being attacked by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Wednesday, reported CBS News citing the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
At least 49 people lost their lives and 140 went missing after a boat sank which was carrying refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, Al Jazeera reported, citing the United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the attack on the Eisenhower carrier on Friday, following earlier claims by the group that at least 16 people were killed in US and UK assaults on Yemen's Hodeidah province.
Referring to the significant deployment of Indian Navy ships to secure the shipping routes amid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday stressed that 21 Indian Navy ships have been deployed in the distressed region and are protecting the International
In his latest televised address, the Houthis' military spokesman, Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for targeting the "British oil ship Andromeda Star" in the Red Sea with naval missiles. The vessel sustained minor damage, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), but is continuing
In the Red Sea, US Marines are spearheading operations to defend shipping boats against Houthi strikes, which are purportedly directed at ships that use Israeli ports or have ties to Israel.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on Friday highlighted that the attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists on commercial ships in the Red Sea are preventing food and medicine from reaching vulnerable populations.
The US has emphasised the importance of avoiding further escalation and working with partners in the region and around the world to create a "unified diplomatic" response to Iran's "reckless and irresponsible behaviour."