Israel said yesterday that Yemen’s Houthis had seized a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea.
The Houthis said they had seized a ship in that area, but described it as Israeli. “We are treating the ship’s crew in accordance with Islamic principles and values,” a spokesperson for the group said, making no reference to the Israeli account.
Last week, the Houthi leader said his forces would make further attacks on Israel and they could target Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the Bab Al Mandeb Strait.
A US Defence official said “we’re aware of the situation and are closely monitoring it”. Earlier the Houthis said all ships owned or operated by Israeli companies, or carrying the Israeli flag could be targeted.
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