Merchant Ship Hit & Damaged By Missile Attack Southwest Of Yemen’s Hodeidah

The Houthi militants in Yemen have escalated their attacks in the Red Sea, raising the possibility of even more disruptions to international trade. Recent missile strikes on merchant vessels have increased concerns about the safety of the region’s trade routes.

The most recent incident involved a merchant vessel that was hit by a missile and damaged west of the port of Hodeidah in Yemen. Fortunately, no casualties were reported among the crew, and the vessel continued on its journey.

The attack was confirmed by security company Ambrey and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), highlighting the continuous instability that the region’s commercial shipping faces.

Since mid-November, the Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for several missile and drone strikes against foreign commerce. They claim that these attacks are directed at vessels connected to Israel and describe them as a reaction to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

These actions have impacted international trade and sparked worries about the Middle East’s peace. In response to the rising threats, the United States and Britain are carrying out strikes against Houthi setups.

The US military reportedly destroyed two drones and nine anti-ship ballistic missiles as a result of recent ship strikes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The frequency of attacks has increased despite these attempts, driving up the cost of shipping insurance and forcing many businesses to reroute their vessels around southern Africa.

Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis, announced plans to broaden his strikes to include ships that take the lengthier path across Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. A possible escalation of attacks in the area was indicated by his announcement of measures to stop ships from passing between South Africa and the Indian Ocean.

Authorities have increased surveillance and defensive measures in the area because of the risk of additional assaults, which pose a severe danger to maritime security and international trade. De-escalation initiatives are essential to protect business interests and guarantee the security of maritime lanes in the Red Sea as tensions continue to increase.

Reference: Reuters

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Source: Maritime Shipping News