Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for an attack on a merchant ship in the Red Sea, sparking concerns about escalating tensions in the region. The incident, which targeted a Liberian-flagged vessel named Tutor, occurred about 66 nautical miles southwest of the rebel-held port of Hodeida in Yemen.
According to reports from the Royal Navy’s UK Maritime Trade Operations office, the ship was struck on the stern and began taking on water. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the vessel was left vulnerable to sinking. The Houthi spokesman stated that the attack was carried out using an unmanned surface boat, drones, and ballistic missiles.
The reason behind the attack, as claimed by the Houthi military spokesman, was the alleged violation of a decision to ban entry into the ports of occupied Palestine by the company that owns the ship. The vessel, which was later identified as a Greek-owned cargo ship by Reuters news agency, was deemed to align with the Houthi’s target profile at the time of the incident by maritime security firm Ambrey.
This latest attack is part of a series of actions by the Houthi rebels against ships they believe are linked to Israel in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In response, the US and UK have conducted attacks on Houthi targets inside Yemen, leading to further retaliation against ships associated with these countries.
The ongoing conflict has raised concerns among shipping companies, with many opting to avoid the Red Sea route due to the increased risks. Additionally, the UN has reported that the Houthi rebels in Yemen have detained more of its employees, including a staff member from the World Health Organization. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over the situation, highlighting the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.
As tensions continue to rise in Yemen, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict to ensure the safety of all those involved.
