A suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Wednesday, marking their longest-range attack on a U.S.-flagged vessel near the Arabian Sea. The attack occurred south of Mocha, with explosions reported off the ship's side. Fortunately, the vessel and crew are safe, and the ship is continuing to its next port of call.
The Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea corridor since November, with over 70 vessels attacked using missiles and drones. While the rebels did not immediately claim responsibility for Wednesday's attack, they have previously targeted ships linked to Israel, the United States, or Britain, allegedly in support of Hamas in its conflict with Israel.
Notably, the recent uptick in assaults comes after a brief pause by the rebels, possibly indicating a regrouping as a new U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, is set to enter the region. The previous carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, had been countering Houthi activities in the Red Sea for months.
In response to the attacks, the U.S.-led airstrikes have targeted the Houthis since January, with recent strikes causing casualties among the rebels. Despite the increased attacks, few have targeted U.S.-flagged commercial vessels directly.
The shipping company Maersk confirmed that one of its vessels, the Maersk Sentosa, was among the targets of the recent Houthi attacks. Fortunately, there were no injuries to the crew or damage to the ship or cargo, and the vessel is continuing its voyage.
The situation in the Red Sea corridor remains tense, with the Houthis continuing their campaign against merchant vessels. The international community closely monitors these developments as efforts are made to ensure the safety of maritime traffic in the region.
