#MSC Boxship Catches Fire After #Houthi Missile Strike Yemen's Houthi rebels have hit another merchant ship and sparked a fire with a missile strike in the Gulf of Aden, according to two UK security consultancies. Ambrey and Vanguard Tech both report that the sub-Panamax boxship MSC Sky II has been hit by a missile and has caught fire. The master of MSC Sky II reports that the attack involved two missiles: the first went into the water off the vessel's port quarter, and the second reportedly struck the ship's accommodations block. No injuries were reported, but the impact started a fire, and the crew were engaged in firefighting as of Monday afternoon. In an update late in the day, U.S. Central Command reported that the MSC Sky did not request assistance and continued on its voyage. MSC vessels have been targeted multiple times since the beginning of Houthi hostilities last fall. Houthi militants attacked MSC Palatium III with a ballistic missile in mid-December; MSC United VIII was attacked in the Red Sea about 10 days later; and MSC Silver II was targeted last month. None of these previous attacks were successful, though the Houthis have caused considerable harm to other owners' vessels. MSC had previously indicated that it would suspend Red Sea operations due to the security risk.

Russia, NATO face danger of direct armed conflict in Europe, says Russian ambassador to U.S. Russia and NATO are facing the danger of a direct armed clash in Eastern Europe, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov told reporters. "Essentially we are facing the danger of a direct clash between the Armed Forces of Russia and the North Atlantic Alliance in Eastern Europe," the diplomat said in a statement posted to the Russian embassy's Telegram channel. Just a while ago it was impossible to imagine that American and German tanks would be driving around in a republic neighboring on Russia, he said. Later, it turned out that Western instructors were helping the Ukrainian military with aiming at a target "hugely expensive equipment like Patriot systems," Antonov went on to say. "Now there is a talk about the participation of soldiers from NATO armies in combat operations. Such a scenario cannot be implemented without Washington's approval," he emphasized. "I am sure that the prime concern for the farmers in America, Europe and Russia is to live a normal life and have an opportunity to plow the land without fearing for tomorrow. However, the hawks here, who are pushing the planet towards World War III, are indifferent to their aspirations," Antonov summed up.

Updated graphic of #Iran & #Houthi related maritime events, visual lists vessels along with type of incidents reported by maritime security organizations in the region - 64 Incidents listed