Ship Nearly Escapes Suspected Houthi-Launched Missile Attack In The Red Sea

A commercial vessel transiting through the southern Red Sea narrowly avoided a missile strike late Sunday night, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The ship, which was about 30 miles west of Yemen’s port city of Mocha, reported that a missile splashed into the sea near the vessel, but no damages or injuries occurred.

The UKMTO stated in an advisory that the ship and its crew are safe and on their way to their next port of call, according to information provided by the vessel’s security officer.

The agency did not reveal the vessel’s name or its ownership.

While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the incident, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels are suspected of carrying out the strike.

The rebels have been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea for over a year now, claiming that these actions are in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel’s military operations in Lebanon.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, near where the incident occurred, is a critical point connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, facilitating trade valued at approximately $1 trillion annually.

Recent months have seen an increase in Houthi-led attacks in the region, increasing tensions and threatening maritime safety.

The Houthis have not acknowledged the attack, though they often delay such claims. The continued attack on commercial vessels has led to international outrage, with concerns growing about the safety of shipping routes in the Red Sea.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the risk to maritime operations in the region remains high.

References: Reuters, Economic Times

Source: Maritime Shipping News