A suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels resulted in multiple explosions near a vessel traveling through the Red Sea on Tuesday. Fortunately, no damage was immediately reported by the ship, according to authorities.
The ongoing assault by the rebels on shipping in the region has been a cause for concern, with the waterway typically witnessing $1 trillion in goods passing through it annually. The attacks are believed to be linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and Israel's ground offensive in Lebanon.
The Houthis have made it clear that they will continue their assaults as long as the wars persist, leading to a significant decrease in shipping activity in the area. A U.N. panel of experts has raised allegations that the rebels may be extorting around $180 million per month from shippers for safe passage through the region.
The attack near the southern Red Sea, southwest of the rebel-held port city of Hodeida, was reported by a vessel in the area. Fortunately, no injuries were reported on board, and the ship was able to continue its journey.
While the Houthis have not immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, their involvement is suspected given their history of targeting merchant vessels in the region. Since the start of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, the rebels have attacked over 90 ships using missiles and drones, resulting in casualties and disruptions to maritime traffic.
The rebels claim to target ships associated with Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. as part of their campaign against the conflict in Gaza. However, their attacks have also impacted vessels with no direct connection to the conflict, raising concerns about the indiscriminate nature of their actions.
Recent reports suggest a decrease in Houthi maritime attacks, possibly due to increased military actions by the U.S. and its allies targeting rebel positions. The rebels have also been accused of collecting illegal fees from shipping agencies to allow safe passage through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
While the Houthis have not directly responded to these allegations, the report highlights the complex challenges faced by shippers navigating the region amidst ongoing conflict and security threats.
