Two crew members sustained injuries, and two others are currently unaccounted for following an attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Hodeida, Yemen. This incident, reported on Monday, marks the second assault on shipping in the Red Sea within a 24-hour period.
The Houthi rebels, active in the Yemen conflict, have claimed responsibility for an earlier attack on Sunday. During this incident, gunmen operating from small boats opened fire on a commercial ship, utilizing rocket-propelled grenades and other weaponry, which forced the crew to abandon the vessel. This marked the Houthis’ first strike on commercial shipping in the area in several months, following a ceasefire agreement with Washington that was reached in May to halt a series of US military actions in Yemen.
According to the UK-based security firm Ambrey, a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier was attacked by two skiffs and unmanned aerial vehicles while navigating northbound in the Red Sea. The firm reported that the vessel’s armed security team engaged in return fire against the assailants. Reports indicate that two crew members were injured and two others are still missing following the assault.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations, overseen by the British Navy, noted that the incident occurred approximately 51 nautical miles (about 94 kilometers) west of Hodeida.
Since the escalation of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, the Houthis have intensified their targeting of Israeli interests in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This offensive has prompted shipping companies to reroute vessels around the southern tip of Africa to avoid conflict zones.
In response to the attacks, Israel conducted a series of strikes on Yemen, particularly focusing on the port city of Hodeida and surrounding areas. According to military spokesman Yahya Saree, the Houthis targeted a vessel named Magic Seas using unmanned boats, ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones. The ship reportedly sustained a direct hit and was sunk, which the Houthis justified by claiming it was a legitimate target due to its links with Israeli entities.
Israel’s military confirmed striking what it described as “terror infrastructure” belonging to the Houthi forces, targeting ports including Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Galaxy Leader cargo ship captured by the Houthis in November 2023. The Israeli forces asserted that this barrage was a direct response to the Houthi attacks against Israel.
Soon after the Israeli strikes, two missiles were launched from Yemen towards Israel. The Israeli army confirmed the attack, with Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree taking responsibility for targeting locations, including Ben Gurion Airport and the ports of Ashdod and Eilat, along with a power station in Ashkelon, describing these actions as retaliation for Israel’s military operations.
Additionally, Houthi media outlets reported that the region was under attack, suggesting a significant escalation in hostilities as tensions continue to flare in this strategically vital maritime corridor.
