The M/V Verbena, a commercial ship, was struck twice by cruise missiles fired by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was reported to be on fire, and one civilian mariner was severely injured. The crew aboard the vessel continued to fight the fire as the U.S. Central Command provided assistance. The mariner was airlifted to another nearby ship for medical treatment. The Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, and Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier, had docked in Malaysia and was en route to Italy carrying wood.
The attack on the M/V Verbena is the latest in a series of assaults by the Houthis in their campaign against the Israel-Hamas war. The Houthis have been targeting shipping in the Red Sea corridor, claiming that the attacks are aimed at stopping the war and supporting the Palestinians. However, the attacks often target vessels that have no connection to the conflict. The Houthis have launched over 50 attacks on shipping, resulting in casualties and the seizure of vessels since November. The U.S. Maritime Administration has reported on these incidents and a U.S.-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January.
The Houthis’ attacks on commercial shipping have resulted in casualties and disruptions to maritime traffic in the region. Earlier in the day, a vessel had been attacked and caught fire in the Gulf of Aden. Private security firm Ambrey reported a merchant vessel making a distress call after being struck by a missile. While the Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the attacks, they typically do so after some time has passed. The attack on the M/V Verbena follows a boat-borne bomb attack against a commercial ship in the Red Sea the day before.
In addition to targeting commercial shipping, the Houthis have also detained individuals working for United Nations agencies, aid groups, and democracy promotion organizations. The National Democratic Institute, a U.S.-based organization, reported that three of its staff members were detained by the Houthis earlier in the month. The institute called for the immediate release of its staff and all others who have been unjustly detained. The Houthis’ arbitrary detention of individuals involved in humanitarian assistance, diplomacy, democracy promotion, and human rights has been condemned by various organizations.
The conflict in Yemen involving the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition has had far-reaching consequences, including attacks on shipping and the detention of individuals working in humanitarian and civil society fields. The Houthis’ actions have drawn international condemnation and calls for an end to the conflict. The ongoing violence in the region has resulted in casualties, disruptions to maritime traffic, and violations of human rights. International organizations and governments have called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict to prevent further harm to civilians and individuals involved in humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding efforts.
