Jerusalem, Israel – A suspected missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels damaged a ship in the Red Sea on Monday, marking the latest assault in their ongoing campaign against international shipping in the crucial maritime route. The incident occurred off the coast of Mokha, Yemen, as reported by the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. While the ship sustained damage in the attack, the crew was reported safe and en route to its next port of call, prompting the agency to advise vessels to exercise caution in the area.
According to a private security firm, Ambrey, three missiles targeted a Malta-flagged container ship traveling from Djibouti to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The targeting was allegedly due to the listed operator’s trade relations with Israel, as stated by Ambrey. However, Marseille-based CMA CGM clarified that its vessel, CMA CGM Manta Ray, scheduled to sail to Jeddah from Djibouti, remained at harbor in Djibouti and could not have been involved in the incident.
In a late-night statement, the Houthis claimed responsibility for military operations against hostile warships in the Red Sea, specifically targeting two American warships with drones. The group emphasized that such attacks would continue until the siege is lifted and aggression against Palestinians in Gaza ceases. Additionally, the Italian Defense Ministry reported that its frigate Virgino Fasan intercepted a Houthi drone near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, resulting in minor superficial damage near an escorted vessel.
The attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have been linked to their efforts to pressure Israel to halt its actions against Hamas in Gaza, which have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties. These attacks on shipping routes have been a growing concern, with the U.S. Maritime Administration reporting more than 50 incidents since November of last year. Despite a decline in Houthi attacks due to targeted airstrikes, recent developments indicate a resurgence in their activities, including the downing of U.S. military drones and threats to vessel safety in the region.
Concerns over the rebels’ weapon stockpiles and persistent threats have raised alarms among U.S. officials, particularly following renewed attacks in the past week. The U.S. military’s efforts to counter these threats include shooting down drones in efforts to protect merchant vessels in the region. The Houthis’ claims of shooting down U.S. military drones add to the escalating tensions in the area, warranting ongoing investigations and heightened security measures to safeguard international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.