Late Tuesday night, a rocket exploded off the side of a ship sailing through the Red Sea near Yemen, authorities reported, marking the latest suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The incident occurred as the Houthis continue their series of sea assaults amid Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza and ongoing airstrikes by the U.S. and its allies attempting to curb their activities.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, which oversees Mideast shipping, the attack took place approximately 70 miles off the coast of Hodeida, a port city held by the Houthis. The rocket detonated several miles off the ship’s bow, the center stated.
Fortunately, the crew and the vessel are reported to be safe and are continuing to their next port of call, as confirmed by the UKMTO.
A private security firm, Ambrey, identified the targeted vessel as a bulk carrier flagged under the Marshall Islands and owned by a Greek company. Additionally, another nearby ship, a chemical tanker flying the Panama flag and owned by a company from the United Arab Emirates, was also present during the incident, Ambrey reported.
As of now, the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack, which is consistent with their usual pattern of taking several hours to do so.
In a separate development on the same night, the U.S. military’s Central Command announced that an American and an allied warship intercepted and destroyed five Houthi drones carrying explosives in the Red Sea. These drones, originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, were deemed an imminent threat to merchant vessels and naval ships in the region, according to Central Command.
In recent months, the Houthis have targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite sustained airstrikes by the U.S. and its allies, the rebels remain capable of launching significant attacks. Just last week, they inflicted substantial damage on a ship in a vital strait and shot down an expensive American drone.
The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel ceases its operations in Gaza. These actions have garnered international attention and condemnation, with recent incidents highlighting the potential environmental and humanitarian consequences of such confrontations in the Red Sea region.
