An aerial drone believed to be launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels has struck and damaged a vessel in the Red Sea, officials confirmed on Sunday. This incident marks the latest attack by the group on the crucial maritime corridor. The attack occurred off the coast of the rebel-held port city of Hodeida in the early hours of the morning. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that the vessel, a Liberia-flagged container ship bound for Qingdao, China, sustained damage but the mariners on board were reported safe. An investigation into the extent of the damage is currently underway.
The Houthi rebels, who have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack, have been involved in over 60 similar assaults targeting specific vessels in recent months. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of four sailors, with one vessel seized and two others sunk since November. The rebels have also launched missiles and drones as part of their campaign, which they say is in response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The U.S. has been actively involved in countering the Houthi assaults, with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower recently completing an eight-month deployment in the region. The Navy has described this deployment as its most intense combat mission since World War II. Following the Eisenhower's return to Norfolk, Virginia, the USS Theodore Roosevelt from San Diego will take its place after participating in a scheduled exercise in the Indo-Pacific region.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the region as the Houthis continue their attacks on vessels passing through the Red Sea, a vital route for Asian, Middle Eastern, and European markets. The rebels have claimed that their targets are ships associated with Israel, the United States, or Britain, although many of the vessels attacked have had no direct connection to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the situation as efforts are made to ensure the safety and security of maritime traffic in the area.
In a separate development, the USS Theodore Roosevelt recently anchored in Busan, South Korea, amidst ongoing tensions between Seoul and North Korea. The situation in the region remains fluid as various military and diplomatic efforts are underway to address the challenges posed by regional conflicts and security threats.
