A series of suspected attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a ship on Thursday in the Red Sea, authorities reported. The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly stemming from the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, have led to increased threats to ships navigating through the Red Sea, a crucial waterway that historically facilitated the movement of $1 trillion in goods annually.
The incident involved a ship in the Red Sea near the East African coast, which was struck by a projectile causing damage to the vessel. Fortunately, no fire erupted, and no injuries were reported. The ship, identified as a Liberian-flagged chemical tanker by the private security firm Ambrey, was later hit by two more projectiles in the surrounding waters.
The attack occurred at a distance from Hodeida, a port under Houthi control that has been a frequent launching point for the rebels' assaults. While the rebels did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack, it is not uncommon for them to delay acknowledgment of their actions.
Since the onset of the conflict in Gaza in October, the Houthis have targeted over 80 merchant vessels using missiles and drones. This campaign has resulted in the seizure of one vessel, the sinking of two others, and the tragic loss of four sailors. Some of the projectiles have been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea, while others have failed to reach their intended targets, which have included Western military ships.
The rebels justify their attacks by claiming to target ships associated with Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. in an effort to pressure an end to Israel's military operations against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the vessels attacked have had minimal or no connection to the conflict, with some even en route to Iran.
In response to Thursday's attack, Ambrey noted that the targeted vessel exhibited characteristics aligning with the Houthi targeting profile, though specific details were not provided.
