US attacks Houthi anti-ship missiles.

The U.S. military said the two anti-ship missiles targeted in the attack were being prepared by Yemen's Houthi forces to be fired into the Red Sea and were considered an "imminent threat" to U.S. Navy navigation and ships in the region.

The conflict in the Red Sea is disrupting global trade. Photo: Reuters

Attacks by Houthi militias on ships in and around the Red Sea since November have slowed trade between Asia and Europe.

In the second attack this week targeting a US-operated vessel in the region, the Genco Picardy was attacked in the Gulf of Aden late Wednesday, causing a fire on board and prompting the Indian Navy to rescue the crew.

India diverted a warship deployed in the area to rescue the 22 crew members aboard the Genco Picardy, including nine Indians. All crew members are safe and the fire has been extinguished.

President Joe Biden acknowledged on Thursday that the offensive had not stopped Houthi rebels from shelling ships, but said the U.S. military response would continue.

Following the attack on Genco Picardy, the U.S. military said its forces intercepted 14 Houthi missiles on Wednesday.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters aboard Air Force One that Thursday's attacks were similar to Wednesday's.

The sharp drop in revenue from the Suez Canal has dealt another blow to Egypt's already struggling economy . The chairman of the Suez Canal Authority said last week that revenue had fallen by 40% in the first 11 days of January.

The World Trade Organization said on Thursday that wheat shipments through the Suez Canal fell by nearly 40% in the first half of January to 0.5 million tonnes.

Maersk and other major shipping lines have directed hundreds of commercial vessels to stay away from the Red Sea. Maersk told customers on Thursday that the attacks, as well as weather-related closures and shutdowns in Europe, risk causing congestion at some container terminals.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-tiep-tuc-tan-cong-ten-lua-chong-ham-cua-houthi-khung-hoang-thuong-mai-bien-do-gia-tang-post281521.html