Iran-backed Houthis have stepped up attacks on ships in the Red Sea after seizing an Israeli-owned vessel last week. The violent incidents have forced global shipping to take stock of potentially rising risks.
A major escalation in maritime attacks in the Middle East unfolded this weekend when ballistic missiles fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck three commercial ships Sunday in the Red Sea.
A week earlier, the Iran-backedHouthis seized a Japanese-operated cargo ship in the Red Sea, with armed men jumping onto its deck from a helicopter before hoisting Palestinian and Yemeni flags.
The Marine Traffic tracking site said the empty car carrier, which was owned by Israeli busisnessman Abraham Ungar, left Korfez in Turkey and was on its way to Pipavav in India when it went offline southwest of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The ship's operator, Japan's Nippon Yusen, said it had set up a taskforce to collect information on the 25-person crew, who are from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania and Mexico.
Though no Israelis were on board, Israel called the incident an "Iranian act of terrorism" and said it would have "grave consequences" for international maritime security.
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