A missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck an Antigua- and Barbuda-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, marking the latest incident of assault on shipping in the region. The attack occurred late Saturday, with the missile hitting the ship's forward station and igniting a fire, which was later extinguished by those on board, according to private security firm Ambrey. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew members. A second missile fired at the ship missed its target, while individuals on small boats in the vicinity opened fire on the vessel during the incident.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center confirmed the attack and subsequent fire in the same area off Aden, noting that damage control efforts are currently underway. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack in a video message, stating that the vessel, identified as the Norderney, was targeted with both missiles and drones. Tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press indicated that the ship was still present in the Gulf of Aden as of Sunday afternoon.
Saree also alleged unreported attacks on a warship and another vessel in the Arabian Sea, although no evidence was provided to support his claims. The Houthis have been targeting shipping along the Red Sea corridor amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, citing their actions as efforts to halt the war and show solidarity with the Palestinians. However, these attacks often impact vessels unrelated to the ongoing conflict.
Since November, the Houthis have carried out over 50 attacks on shipping, resulting in the deaths of three sailors, the seizure of one vessel, and the sinking of another, as reported by the U.S. Maritime Administration. A U.S.-led airstrike campaign against the rebels has been ongoing since January, with recent strikes on May 30 resulting in casualties among the Houthi forces.
Internationally, the Houthis have garnered increased attention, but domestically, the group has intensified its crackdown on dissent. Eleven Yemeni employees of United Nations agencies and individuals working for aid organizations have been detained by the rebels under unclear circumstances. Facing mounting financial pressure and airstrikes from the U.S.-led coalition, the Houthis have also imposed harsh sentences, including death penalties, on 44 individuals.
