Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have once again stirred tensions in the Red Sea region by launching missiles at two ships on Tuesday. The attacks, targeting commercial vessels, have raised concerns about maritime security in the strategic waterway.
According to reports, the first attack occurred in the southern part of the Red Sea, west of the Yemeni port of Hodeida, causing minor damage to an unspecified vessel. The second assault took place off Yemen’s southern port city of Aden, targeting a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel owned by Greece and bound for India. However, the nature of the explosion remains unclear, whether caused by a sea mine or a rocket.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the incident involving the second ship, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, and a Greek-owned cargo ship en route from the US to India. Although the vessel reported no injuries, the attacks have prompted concerns about the safety of maritime traffic in the region.
The United States military’s Central Command issued a statement detailing the attacks, indicating that the Houthis fired anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) from Yemen-controlled areas towards the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. While the “Star Nasia” vessel sustained minor damages, no injuries were reported. The USS Laboon intercepted and shot down a third missile targeting the ship.
Regarding the attack on the “Morning Tide” vessel, the US military reported that the three missiles launched by the Houthis failed to cause any damage. The vessel, flagged from Barbados and owned by the UK, continued its journey unharmed.
The Houthi rebels, originating from Yemen’s northwestern Saada province, have been engaging in acts of aggression against commercial vessels in the Red Sea since October last year. They claim these attacks as expressions of solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The escalation of violence in the Red Sea raises concerns about the safety of maritime navigation in the region, with international actors closely monitoring developments and calling for measures to ensure the security of commercial shipping lanes.
Sources By Agencies
