DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A commercial ship targeted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has now sunk in the Red Sea after sustaining damage and taking on water for several days. This is the first vessel to be completely destroyed in the ongoing conflict related to Israel’s actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The sinking of the Rubymar, which was carrying a load of fertilizer and had previously experienced fuel leaks, poses a significant threat to the ecological balance of the Red Sea and its coral reefs.
The frequent attacks by the Houthi rebels have already disrupted maritime traffic in the important waterway used for transporting goods and energy between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. As a result, many ships have opted to avoid this route.
The incident involving the Rubymar could lead to further diversions and increased insurance costs for vessels traveling through the area, potentially impacting global inflation rates and affecting aid deliveries to the region.
The Belize-flagged Rubymar was hit by a Houthi anti-ship missile on Feb. 18 in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial passage connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. After drifting northward, the vessel eventually succumbed to the damage and sank.
Both Yemen’s government and a regional military official have confirmed the sinking of the Rubymar, expressing concerns over the environmental risks posed by the sinking ship and its cargo of ammonium phosphate sulfate fertilizer.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen, where the Houthi rebels have been in control of the capital Sanaa since 2014, has prompted international response and condemnation of the attacks on commercial vessels in the region.
Greenpeace has also voiced alarm over the potential environmental impact of the ship sinking, warning of a possible crisis if immediate action is not taken to address the situation in the Red Sea.
The attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea come in the context of the broader conflict in the region, with the Houthis demanding an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza as the main condition for halting their attacks.
Amidst these challenges, efforts to maintain maritime security and prevent further incidents in the Red Sea remain a top priority for international authorities and naval forces operating in the area.