Jerusalem, Israel – In a recent incident off the coast of Yemen, a Portuguese-flagged container ship was targeted by a drone in a daring assault in the Arabian Sea. The attack on the MSC Orion, claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, marks a significant escalation in the rebels’ targeting of ships in the region. The assault, occurring approximately 600 kilometers off the Yemeni coast, is the first confirmed deep-sea attack publicly attributed to the Houthis since they began their campaign in November.
The Joint Maritime Information Center, operating as part of the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East, reported that the attack on MSC Orion took place last Friday. Despite sustaining only minor damage, the crew on board the vessel discovered debris believed to be from the drone responsible for the assault. In response to the incident, authorities emphasized that all crew members are safe, and the ship was en route to Salalah, Oman, at the time of the attack.
The association of MSC Orion with London-based Zodiac Maritime, a part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group, has raised questions about the motive behind the assault. The Joint Maritime Information Center has suggested that the ship may have been targeted due to its perceived Israeli affiliation, highlighting potential geopolitical tensions in the region.
Yahya Saree, a military spokesman for the Houthi rebels, confirmed the group’s responsibility for the attack on the Orion. This admission has sparked inquiries into the rebels’ capabilities to conduct assaults far from the shores of Yemen, especially on moving maritime targets. While the Houthis have primarily operated in closer proximity to Yemen through attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, this incident in the Arabian Sea indicates a potential expansion of their operational reach.
The involvement of Iran, a known supporter of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, in past sophisticated attacks has also come under scrutiny following the assault on MSC Orion. With Iran’s history of supplying weaponry to the rebels, including drones, the international community is closely monitoring the situation for any further developments or potential escalations in the region. The Houthis have previously linked their attacks on shipping in the area to pressuring Israel to end its military actions against Hamas in Gaza, contributing to heightened tensions in the Middle East.