In a brazen move that has further inflamed regional tensions, Houthi rebels in Yemen are suspected to have launched a missile attack targeting a container ship traversing the Red Sea. The assault, occurring off the coast of Mokha, Yemen, underscores the precarious nature of one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center issued a warning to vessels, urging them to exercise caution, indicative of the heightened risk to international shipping posed by such incidents. According to reports from the security firm Ambrey, the attack involved a salvo of three missiles directed at a Malta-flagged container ship, which was en route from Djibouti to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. “The vessel was targeted due to its listed operator’s ongoing trade with Israel,” Ambrey said.
Ambrey’s analysis suggests that the vessel was targeted because of its operator’s ongoing trade ties with Israel, a detail pointing towards the complex web of geopolitical motivations that underlie the Houthi campaign. Shipping manifests and vessel-tracking data suggested the vessel targeted was the CMA CGM Manta Ray, which had been due to sail from Djibouti on Monday.
The Houthi movement, which did not immediately acknowledge this particular attack, has previously justified its aggressive actions against shipping as a means to apply pressure on Israel to cease its operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The conflict, which has seen a significant loss of life, began after militant attacks on Israel, which subsequently resulted in an intense military engagement.
Data from the U.S. Maritime Administration highlights the scale of disruption caused by the Houthis, with more than 50 attacks on shipping since November, including the seizure and sinking of vessels. The U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen has led to a temporary decline in such attacks, with speculation from American officials suggesting that the rebels may be depleting their arsenal. Nonetheless, the recent weeks have seen a resurgence of attacks, challenging this assessment.
In a related development, the Houthis claimed responsibility for downing a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bryon J. McGarry, a Defense Department spokesperson, acknowledged to The Associated Press on Saturday that “a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 drone crashed in Yemen.” He said an investigation was underway, without elaborating.
This pattern of maritime disruptions has had a chilling effect on shipping through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, causing industry stakeholders to reassess the safety of these critical sea lanes.
Relevant articles:
– Likely Missile Attack by Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Targets a Container Ship in the Red Sea, Military, 04/29/2024
– Likely attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targets a vessel in the Red Sea, ABC News, Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:45:00 GMT
– Likely missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targets a container ship in the Red Sea, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:27:05 GMT
– Houthis fire three missiles at vessel operated by shipper that trades with Israel, 29 April 2024, 2:55 pm