Yemen Rebels Assert New Red Sea Ship Attacks

On Tuesday, a vessel traveling through the southern Red Sea fell victim to an attack, suspected to be carried out by a drone operated by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting ships in connection with Israel’s military operations in Gaza against Hamas.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a British military organization, reported that the attack occurred west of Hodeida, a Yemeni port, causing minor damage to the ship’s bridge windows. Notably, a small boat was seen near the ship before the attack.

The ship, identified as a Barbados-flagged and United Kingdom-owned cargo vessel by the security firm Ambrey, experienced only minor damage, and no injuries were reported on board.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a spokesman for the Houthi rebels, later claimed responsibility for attacks on two separate ships in the Red Sea, one American and one British. However, he did not provide any evidence to back up this claim. The ship named Morning Tide, mentioned by the Houthis, was confirmed to be in the Red Sea near the attack site, as per tracking data, but its owners could not be reached for comment.

The Houthi rebels have a history of targeting ships in the Red Sea since November, as a response to Israel’s actions in Gaza against Hamas. These attacks have often targeted ships with weak or no direct connections to Israel, threatening the safety of a crucial trade route connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

In response to these and other regional threats, the United States and the United Kingdom, supported by other allies, have conducted airstrikes against Houthi missile stores and launch sites. On Saturday, they targeted 36 Houthi sites in Yemen, and another air assault on Friday in Iraq and Syria was aimed at Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. This was in retaliation for a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan.

Additionally, the U.S. military’s Central Command reported an attack on Monday against the Houthis, targeting two explosive-laden drone boats. This action was taken to protect U.S. Navy and merchant vessels in the region, affirming their commitment to ensuring safe and secure international waters.