Two British ships hit by missiles fired by Iran-backed Houthis in Red Sea

TWO UK ships have been hit by missiles in the Red Sea, say US military chiefs.

The missiles, which struck commercial vessels Unity Explorer and Number 9, were reportedly fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Both vessels were said to have suffered minor damage but there were no reported casualties. The Houthis in Yemen are backed by Iran.

US Central Command said: “We have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran.

“The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full co-ordination with its international allies and partners.” The attacks will raise fears that the Israel-Hamas conflict could escalate into a wider Middle East war.

AS THE ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ends and Israeli forces appear poised to expand their operations throughout Gaza, the humanitarian situation in the Strip will deteriorate further still. On top of this, there is the ever-present spectre of regional escalation.

Two UK-owned ships have been struck by missiles in the Red Sea. The commercial vessels were reportedly fired on from Iranian-backed, Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Furthermore, a US warship faced an attack in the same region, while the US military has reportedly carried out an air strike in Kirkuk, Iraq, against pro-Iran militants.

A Houthi military spokesman confirmed that the group had targeted what it calls “Israeli ships”. An Israeli military spokesman said the two ships had no connection to the country. No mention was made of the incident involving the US warship. It is not difficult to imagine a miscalculation going terribly wrong. Any widening of this conflict would pose a danger to life and the global economy. World leaders must be alive to this clear and present danger.