A suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, authorities reported. The incident occurred off the coast of Yemen, with a missile striking a merchant vessel en route from Malaysia to Venice, Italy. The ship made a distress call after being hit by the missile, according to private security firm Ambrey.
The Houthi rebels, who have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with a Saudi-led coalition, have been increasingly targeting shipping in the Red Sea corridor. While the rebels have not claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack, they have previously carried out similar assaults on commercial vessels.
The attacks are purportedly aimed at supporting Palestinians and halting the ongoing conflict in the region. However, the strikes often impact ships that are not involved in the Israel-Hamas war. The Houthis have been linked to over 50 attacks on shipping since November, resulting in casualties and the seizure of vessels.
The international community has condemned the Houthi attacks, with the United States leading airstrikes against the rebel group since January. Recent strikes by the U.S.-led coalition have resulted in casualties among the rebels, with the latest incident on May 30 claiming the lives of at least 16 individuals and injuring dozens more.
The escalation of violence in the region, including the conflict in Gaza, has led to a significant loss of life and heightened tensions. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as efforts are made to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure the safety of maritime traffic in the region.
