Two crew members were killed when a cargo ship was attacked off Yemen by unidentified small boats, marking the second attack in the Red Sea this week amid ongoing Houthi conflicts linked to the Gaza war, raising concerns over the safety of vital trade routes despite a recent US-brokered cease-fire.
A missile attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels on a cargo ship in the Red Sea has caused an 18-mile oil slick, with the potential for a fertilizer spill from the vessel's cargo. The U.S. military warned of the environmental impact and the danger to fishing industry, coastal communities, and food supplies. Yemen's government called for international assistance to address the oil slick, while the U.S. launched attacks on Houthi-held areas in Yemen in response to the threat posed by anti-ship cruise missiles. The Houthi rebels have targeted ships in the Red Sea, claiming to act in response to Israel's actions in Gaza, but have imperiled shipping in a crucial trade route.
A British-registered cargo ship, Rubymar, is reportedly taking in water after an attack by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden. The ship sustained damage from an explosion and two missiles fired at it, prompting the crew to evacuate safely. Houthi Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the vessel is at risk of sinking. Additionally, a second vessel, a Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned bulk carrier, also came under attack in the same area. These incidents follow the U.S. launching airstrikes against Houthi rebel positions in Yemen, targeting anti-ship missile batteries and unmanned underwater and surface vessels.