Houthi Rebels Suspected in Red Sea Attack Leaving Commercial Ship Disabled
A commercial ship traversing the Red Sea came under repeated attack on Wednesday, leaving the vessel “not under command,” CBS News reports, citing the British military.
The assault, suspected to be carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, marks the latest escalation in their months-long campaign targeting commercial and military ships.
Small boats reportedly fired small arms at the vessel followed by three projectile strikes, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations center. While no casualties were reported, the ship is said to have lost all power.
The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack, but their assault pattern and delayed acknowledgment suggests their involvement. This attack follows the sinking of two ships by the group, including a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier in June and a British-owned vessel in March.
The assault has prompted a coordinated response from the US and Britain, including airstrikes on Houthi infrastructure and the interception of numerous drones and missiles. However, these efforts have failed to deter the attacks on vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis frame these attacks as retaliation for the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, leveraging their support from Iran. In July, they declared a “new phase” in their operations with a first drone attack on Israel, launching explosive-laden drones into Tel Aviv. The attack resulted in the death of one man. Israel responded promptly with strikes targeting Houthi-held energy infrastructure in the port city of Hodeida.
