Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched an attack on a ship navigating the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the Red Sea on Monday, according to authorities. Fortunately, the vessel escaped without damage, and all crew members were reported safe.
This incident marked the end of an 18-day pause in attacks attributed to the Houthis, who have frequently targeted ships in the Red Sea over the past year amidst escalating tensions tied to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. These assaults have caused significant disruptions in international shipping across the region, a key corridor once responsible for the transit of goods valued at around $1 trillion annually.
The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported that the ship’s captain detected two explosions near the vessel. The UKMTO confirmed that the vessel and its crew were unharmed following the incident.
Ambrey, a private security firm, described the event as involving “two close proximity explosions” near the vessel. The ship reportedly was not transmitting its location at the time and had a private armed security team onboard, a measure many vessels have adopted in light of ongoing Houthi attacks in the area.
Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree later claimed responsibility for the attack. He identified the ship as the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Motaro and asserted, without providing evidence, that the vessel had been hit. Saree also mentioned two other recent, unverified attacks in the Arabian Sea.
The last reported Houthi assault occurred on October 10, targeting the Liberian-flagged chemical tanker Olympic Spirit. The pause since then remains unexplained, although similar breaks have been observed in past campaigns by the Houthis. On October 17, the U.S. military deployed B-2 stealth bombers to strike underground bunkers used by the rebels.
Since the onset of the Gaza conflict last year, Houthi forces have attacked over 90 merchant ships in the Red Sea using missiles and drones, seizing one vessel and sinking two. Four sailors have lost their lives in these incidents. While the Houthis claim they are targeting vessels associated with Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. to press for an end to the situation in Gaza, many affected ships have no ties to the conflict, with some even bound for Iran.
Additionally, the Houthis have shot down several U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones in recent months as the conflict continues.
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