Dubai, United Arab Emirates – A ship traveling through the Red Sea faced multiple missile attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, marking the latest incident in the ongoing conflict in the region. The vessel, navigating off the coast of the rebel-held port city of Hodeida in Yemen, was targeted by five missiles, thankfully causing no damage, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center.
Houthi military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for two Red Sea ship attacks without specifying the exact target mentioned by authorities. The rebels have engaged in a campaign targeting over 60 vessels using missiles and drones, resulting in the deaths of four sailors. The group has also seized one vessel and sunk two others since November.
The attacks by the Houthis have intensified, with a U.S.-led airstrike campaign launched in January targeting the rebel group. The Houthis allege that their attacks focus on vessels linked to Israel, the United States, or Britain, despite some targeted ships having little to no connection to the Israel-Hamas conflict, including those bound for Iran.
Recent Houthi attacks involved a new hypersonic ballistic missile launch, striking a ship farther away than previous assaults in the Gulf of Aden. Another attack in the Gulf of Aden has been attributed to the Houthis, though they have not claimed responsibility. A coalition led by the United States has been actively combating the rebel group, with recent reports of U.S. military intervention to neutralize Houthi drones and control stations in Yemen.
The conflict in the Red Sea continues to escalate, posing a threat to maritime security in the region. The targeting of commercial vessels and claims of attacks on ships by the Houthi rebels raise concerns about the safety of maritime travel in the area and the potential for further escalation of hostilities. The ongoing conflict highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region and the need for international cooperation to address maritime security challenges effectively.