Two Merchant Ships Attacked Near Yemen by Houthi Rebels, One Abandoned at Sea
Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for two separate attacks on merchant ships near Yemen, causing damage to one vessel and forcing the crew of another to abandon ship. The ongoing conflict in the region has raised concerns about the safety of commercial traffic in the Red Sea.
A merchant ship was attacked by a drone in the Red Sea near Yemen early Sunday morning, according to maritime security agencies and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred approximately 65 nautical miles west of the Yemeni port city of Hodeida. The vessel, identified as a Liberia-flagged, Greece-owned bulk carrier, reported damage but no casualties. Authorities are investigating the attack.
Later that day, UKMTO received a distress call from another vessel off Yemen’s southeastern coast that suffered uncontrollable flooding, forcing the crew to abandon ship. The crew was rescued by an assisting vessel, but the flooded ship remained adrift.
The Houthi rebels, through their military spokesperson Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for the attacks on both ships. The rebels, aligned with Iran, have intensified attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
These attacks follow the Houthis’ earlier claim of targeting the US aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, a claim disputed by US officials. The US has formed a coalition of over 20 countries to protect commercial traffic in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks and has conducted strikes against Houthi locations. Despite these efforts, the Houthis have continued their operations, stating their campaign against what they term “the Zionist enemy” will persist.