Video of Two Tanzanian Ships Catching Fire Shared as Israeli Ships Hit by Yemen and Iraq
The Claim
Yemen and Iraq successfully targeted two Israeli Ships carrying military equipment for the Israel in the port of Haifa.
Emerging story
Amidst rising tensions between Yemeni armed groups and the U.S., social media users have been circulating a video claiming to depict that Yemen and Iraq successfully targeted two Israeli ships carrying military equipment for Israel in the port of Haifa.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading.
The video actually depicts two commercial vessels flying Tanzanian flags, caught fire in the Kerch Strait separating Crimea from Russia, in the Black Sea, carrying Indian and Turkish crew members. The fire broke out on 21 January 2019, causing the death of 14 people.
The claim began circulating after the Houthis, who control the Red Sea coastline, have been attacking ships in the Red Sea region, in addition to firing missiles and drones, as an act of solidarity with Palestinian people during the war on Gaza.
Houthis Launch Attacks on 3 Ships in the Red Sea
On Wednesday, Yemen’s Houthi group said it has launched drone attacks and missiles against three ships transiting the Red Sea.
Yahya Saree, Houthi spokesperson posted videos on X, declaring a series of attacks that were staged jointly with the Iraqi Islamic Resistance in retaliation to Israel’s most recent strikes on Gaza.
The group targeted the VANTAGE DREAM ship, the ROZA ship, and the American ship MAERSK SELETAR, with a number of missiles and drones, Yahya Sarea said in the statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.
The statement declared that the companies have violated the Houthis decision that banned entry of any ship to the Ports of Israel.
The military spokesperson also added that such operations on the Red Sea will be carried on continuously, in solidarity with Palestine until the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.
Read More
This Video Does Not Feature Yemeni Forces Striking a U.S. Aircraft Carrier in the Red Sea
