Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Linked to Damaging Attack
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Authorities suspect Yemen’s Houthi rebels in an attack that damaged a Belize-flagged ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The damaged ship was traveling between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden when the incident occurred on Sunday.
The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that the ship sustained damage from “an explosion in close proximity to the vessel.” Fortunately, the crew onboard the ship is reported to be safe.
U.S. Military Conducts Airstrikes Targeting Houthi Rebels
The U.S. military acknowledged conducting new airstrikes targeting the Houthi rebels, including the first Houthi underwater drone seen since the rebels began their attacks on shipping in November. The airstrikes focused on Houthi military equipment, including mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and an explosive-carrying drone boat.
Central Command reported carrying out five airstrikes, noting that this was the first observed Houthi use of an unmanned underwater vessel since the attacks began in October.
Impact on Shipping and Regional Trade
Since November, the Houthi rebels have targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, affecting trade routes among Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. These attacks have posed a threat to shipping in a key route, impacting vessels with tenuous or unclear links to the conflicts in the region.
The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the recent attack on the Belize-flagged ship, but a statement on their activities is expected to be released soon.