A sailor was gravely injured when a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden was hit by two cruise missiles launched by the Houthis in Yemen, according to the US military. The US Central Command (CentCom) reported that the injured sailor was evacuated to another vessel for urgent medical care. The crew members onboard the MV Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated ship, were battling a fire as a result of the attack.
The nationality of the wounded sailor has not been disclosed. The Houthis stated that they conducted assaults on three ships within the last 24 hours, including the MV Verbena, in retaliation against perceived injustices in the Gaza Strip and in response to what they view as American-British aggression against Yemen. The armed Houthi group considers itself a part of an Iranian-led coalition against Israel, the US, and Western powers.
Since November, the rebels have been targeting vessels they claim are connected to Israel in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, citing their actions as support for Palestinians in Gaza. This has led to the US and UK engaging in strikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen, prompting further retaliatory attacks on vessels they believe are linked to those nations. The conflict has disrupted shipping routes, with many companies avoiding the Red Sea due to the increased risks.
Recent incidents, such as the targeting of the Liberian-flagged vessel Tutor with a sea drone in the Red Sea, demonstrate the ongoing tensions in the region. The Houthis’ actions have raised concerns about the safety of international shipping in key maritime passages, impacting global trade routes. CentCom denounced the attacks, highlighting the Houthis’ disregard for the lives of individuals uninvolved in the Gaza conflict.
The situation underscores the complexities of regional conflicts and their broader implications on international waters. As the conflict escalates, it becomes increasingly challenging to navigate the geopolitical landscape of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The ongoing hostilities pose significant risks not only for ships and sailors but also for the stability of critical maritime trade routes in the region.