Yemen's Houthi rebels carried out a missile attack that caused damage to a Belize-flagged transport in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, prompting the passengers and crew to evacuate the vessel, according to authorities on Monday. There are reports of a ship being attacked twice in the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis, reportedly backed by Iran, have stated that they successfully downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, a claim that has not been promptly confirmed by US forces in the area. The Houthis have previously struck US drones, as per Fox News.
Houthi Rebels Attack British-Registered Cargo Ship
Yemen's Houthi rebels attacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea, causing damage to the vessel. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center of the British military, the ship was damaged following an explosion nearby. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center of the British military confirmed the safety of the crew onboard.
The Rubymar, a cargo ship registered in Britain, is operated by a company from Lebanon. It was traveling to Bulgaria from Khorfakkan, United Arab Emirates. A private security firm shared more information, stating that the ship carried a partial cargo load. Yet, the exact details of the cargo are still unknown. It is important to note that the vessel disabled its Automatic Identification System tracker while in the Persian Gulf earlier this month, which has added complexity to the situation.
While the Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a military spokesman for the rebels, hinted at the likelihood of a statement on their activities being released on Monday morning, according to NBC News.
US Airstrikes Target Houthi Military Equipment
Since November, a number of occurrences took place where Houthi rebels have been targeting ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters. The attacks are connected to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been involved in military operations against Hamas.
Rebels frequently target vessels without clear links to Israel, endangering shipping in a vital route connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Several vessels that were targeted have been carrying cargo for Iran, a key supporter of the Houthi rebels.
At the same time, the US military's Central Command has taken action by carrying out five airstrikes aimed at Houthi military equipment. The airstrikes targeted mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, an explosive-carrying drone boat, and an unmanned underwater vessel, as reported by Central Command.
This recent use of an unattended underwater vessel represents a major milestone, being the first known instance of Houthi use of such technology since the attacks started in October 2023.
With international tensions increasing due to these happenings, Rubymar's manager based in Beirut for Rubymar is unwilling to provide an immediate comment. The situation continues to evolve, with ongoing international implications and concerns about shipping safety in the region. Anticipate additional information as authorities and nations address these recently escalated situations, CTV News reported
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