A ship navigating the Red Sea reported on Thursday, June 27, that it had been attacked. The location and nature of this attack suggest it is another incident involving the Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthis targeting vessels on international shipping routes.
The private maritime security company “Ambrey,” which first reported the incident, stated that the vessel had called to report the attack from waters near the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, and a warship in the Red Sea had responded to the attack.
No detailed information has been released yet regarding possible casualties or damage to the ship. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also confirmed the attack, stating that responsible authorities in the region are investigating the incident.
In the approximately eight months since the Houthis began attacking international shipping routes, more than 60 ships have been targeted by missiles and drones, resulting in the deaths of four sailors.
The group has seized one ship and sunk two others. A coalition of Western countries led by the United States has been attacking Houthi positions in Yemen since January.
The Houthis claim that at least 16 people were killed and 42 were injured in the latest wave of coalition attacks in late May. The group states that their attacks, conducted in support of the Palestinians, will continue until a ceasefire is established in the Gaza Strip.
The Houthis claim they only target vessels linked to Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom in their attacks. However, many of the attacked ships had no connection to Israel or its military operations in Gaza, and some were destined for Iran.
On June 25, Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, claimed responsibility for the attack on the bulk carrier “MSC SARAH V,” owned by a Greek company and sailing under the Liberian flag.
On Wednesday, the Houthis also claimed that they had used a new hypersonic ballistic missile in this attack, capable of targeting ships much farther from their controlled areas in Yemen.
Most Houthi attacks have occurred in the Gulf of Aden, but in a few instances, ships farther afield in the Red Sea and the mouth of the Indian Ocean have also been targeted.
At the same time, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that in their latest attacks on Yemen, they had destroyed a Houthi radar installation.
Another attack occurred in the Gulf of Aden on June 26, suspected to be carried out by the Houthis, but the group has not yet claimed responsibility.
