Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Another ship, the Tutor, met its demise in the Red Sea following an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The sinking of the vessel, believed to have claimed the life of one sailor, marks a concerning escalation in the rebels’ campaign targeting shipping in the crucial maritime corridor.
This incident adds to the ongoing tensions in the region, with the US-led campaign facing intensified maritime skirmishes since World War II. The Tutor, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned-and-operated vessel, succumbed to the attack in the Red Sea, as reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations center.
The aftermath of the attack revealed maritime debris and oil in the vicinity, leading authorities to believe that the Tutor had sunk. The Houthi rebels have not officially acknowledged the sinking, and the US military has yet to comment on the incident as well.
The Tutor came under fire from a bomb-carrying Houthi drone boat, reminiscent of the USS Cole attack in 2000 by al-Qaida, posing a significant threat to maritime security in the region. Despite efforts by the US Navy, including the deployment of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Houthi attacks persist.
This recent attack joins over 50 others launched by the Houthis, resulting in the deaths of four sailors and the sinking of two vessels since November. The Belize-flagged Rubymar incident in March further underscores the escalating dangers faced by ships navigating the Red Sea amidst the conflict.
As the region grapples with the repercussions of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the impact on maritime traffic through the Red Sea has been significant. The Defense Intelligence Agency’s report highlights a 90% decline in container shipping since December, affecting approximately 15% of the world’s maritime traffic flowing through the corridor.
The persisting threats posed by the Houthi rebels underscore the complexity of the situation in the region and the challenges faced by international maritime operations. As efforts continue to mitigate risks and safeguard shipping routes, the need for coordinated international action remains paramount to ensure maritime security in the Red Sea.