Yemen’s Houthi rebels have carried out attacks on a ship in the Gulf of Aden, the latest in a series of assaults as a response to Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This attack follows a previous incident where a Houthi missile targeting a vessel was shot down by an allied warship. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred just over 25 kilometers southwest of Aden. Thankfully, the crew and the vessel were reported safe following the attack.
The private security firm Ambrey also confirmed the attack on the ship, identified as the MSC Darwin, by the Houthi rebels. European Union forces intercepted a drone launched from Houthi territory on the same day. Additionally, the British warship HMS Diamond successfully shot down a missile aimed at merchant ships, marking the first such incident since 1991. The Houthis have been involved in over 50 attacks on shipping, seizing one vessel and sinking another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.
Recent weeks have seen a decrease in Houthi attacks as a result of targeted airstrikes against the rebels in Yemen and reduced shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden due to the security threat. American officials believe the rebels may be running out of weapons as a result of the ongoing campaign against them. Despite this, Wednesday’s attack marked a significant escalation after a period of relative calm. The explosion took place southeast of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden, with a coalition warship successfully intercepting the missile likely targeting the MV Yorktown.
The Central Command of the U.S. military confirmed the attack and clarified that there were no injuries or damage reported on any vessels involved. The Houthi military spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack but provided no evidence that the missile hit its intended target. The rebels have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel ends its conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in a high number of Palestinian casualties. Most of the ships targeted by the Houthis have had no direct connection to the conflict, raising concerns about the indiscriminate nature of their attacks. The rebels have also attempted to target Israel with missiles, with limited success and interceptions by defense systems.
Despite the ongoing violence and attacks on shipping in the region, efforts to maintain security and safety for vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden continue. The involvement of international forces, including the U.S. and European Union, in intercepting and preventing attacks by Houthi rebels demonstrates the ongoing threat posed by the conflict in Yemen. The situation remains complex, with the rebels indicating a willingness to escalate attacks in response to external pressures on their operations. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and working to address the root causes of the conflict to bring about a lasting resolution.
