A suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a ship on Thursday in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the assault, but it comes in the wake of a series of attacks by the rebels on shipping in the Red Sea corridor.
The attack involved a rocket-propelled grenade launched close to the ship by two smaller craft manned by individuals wearing white and yellow raincoats, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations center. Fortunately, the vessel and its crew are reported to be safe, and the ship is continuing its journey to its next port of call as authorities launch an investigation into the incident.
Over the past months, the Houthis have targeted more than 70 vessels using missiles and drones, resulting in the deaths of four sailors. The rebels claim that their attacks are aimed at ships associated with Israel, the United States, or Britain as part of their efforts to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the targeted ships have had minimal or no connection to the ongoing conflict.
These attacks have disrupted the flow of goods worth $1 trillion passing through the region annually and have led to heightened tensions in the area, with the U.S. Navy facing some of the most intense combat since World War II. The Houthis have also launched drones and missiles towards Israel, resulting in retaliatory strikes by Israel on Houthi-held areas.
Following a brief pause in their attacks, the Houthis resumed their activities by targeting a Liberian-flagged container ship in the Gulf of Aden. The situation remains fluid as regional powers monitor the developments closely.
