A missile attack by Iran-aligned Houthis targeted the Turkish-owned cargo ship Anadolu S off Yemen’s coast, prompting Turkey’s Foreign Affairs Ministry to respond. The incident is part of a broader trend, with over 90 similar attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since October 2023, framed as retaliatory measures against Israel. Turkey is taking steps to prevent further occurrences.
On November 20, 2023, Turkey’s Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that a cargo vessel belonging to a Turkish company, the Panama-flagged Anadolu S, was the target of a missile attack by Iran-aligned Houthi forces while navigating the Red Sea near Yemen’s coast. The ministry reported that appropriate measures are being implemented to avert future occurrences of such incidents. This missile attack aligns with a series of over 90 assaults on commercial vessels in the Red Sea since October, which the Houthis claim are retaliatory actions against Israeli actions in Gaza.
The maritime security situation in the Red Sea has escalated due to the Houthi group’s missile attacks on commercial shipping routes. Since October 2023, the Houthis have issued statements declaring that these attacks are justified responses to perceived aggression, particularly against Israel. Furthermore, despite Turkey’s formal prohibition of trade with Israel, there are assertions from pro-Palestinian factions that such trade persists through less overt channels. This geopolitical context is critical for understanding the motivations behind the Houthi’s actions as well as the responses from nations like Turkey.
The missile attack on the Turkish-owned Anadolu S highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, particularly concerning maritime safety and the conflict in Gaza. Turkey’s prompt announcement and the commitment to prevent future incidents reflect its government’s stance on safeguarding its commercial interests abroad. The broader implications of these attacks underscore the complexity of geopolitical dynamics in the Red Sea, as well as the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Original Source: www.duvarenglish.com
