A cargo ship traveling through the southern Red Sea was targeted in an attack by a suspected Yemen Houthi rebel drone early on Tuesday, according to authorities. The incident took place west of Hodeida, Yemen, and resulted in slight damage to the ship's windows on the bridge. The vessel, a Barbados-flagged cargo ship owned by the United Kingdom, was identified by the private security firm Ambrey. Thankfully, no injuries were reported among the crew, and the ship only suffered minor damage.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, but suspicions immediately fell on the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. This assault is the latest in a series of attacks by the rebels since November, targeting ships in the Red Sea in response to Israel's offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Houthi rebels have been known to target vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, leading to concerns about shipping safety in a crucial trade route connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
In response to these attacks, the United States and the United Kingdom, along with other allies, have conducted airstrikes against Houthi missile arsenals and launch sites. Just last Saturday, they launched strikes against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen. Additionally, airstrikes were carried out in Iraq and Syria, targeting Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, as a response to a drone strike that resulted in the death of three U.S. troops in Jordan.
Notably, the U.S. military's Central Command acknowledged a separate attack on Monday, when the Houthis targeted two of their drone boats loaded with explosives. The U.S. military justified its response by stating that these drone boats posed an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. According to the military, their actions are aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and ensuring the safety and security of U.S. Navy vessels and merchant ships in international waters.
The ongoing attacks on ships by the Houthi rebels have raised concerns about the escalation of the conflict in the region. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as efforts are made to maintain stability in the Red Sea and ensure the safety of maritime trade. The overall impact of these attacks on the shipping industry and regional security remains a significant concern for all stakeholders involved.
