The British Maritime Trade Operations authority reported on Monday that a ship sustained “minor damage” after being attacked by a drone in the Red Sea, approximately 60 nautical miles north of Djibouti.
The British maritime security company Ambrey also reported that a cargo tanker flying the flag of the Marshall Islands suffered material damage due to a drone in an incident that occurred about 60 nautical miles north of Djibouti.
It was not immediately clear whether the two incidents reported by the authority and Ambrey involved the same ship.
The Maritime Trade Operations authority noted in a memo that the attack caused minor damage to the ship’s deck.
The authority added, “Reports indicate that the crew is safe and that the ship is heading to its next port of call on its journey.”
The Houthi movement has carried out repeated attacks with drones and missiles since November in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, stating that its attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza war.
The conflict in Gaza has spread to other parts of the Middle East, where the Lebanese Hezbollah group has exchanged fire with Israeli forces along the border, and Iraqi armed groups have attacked U.S. forces in Iraq.
In response, U.S. and British forces have launched multiple strikes on Houthi facilities but have so far failed to stop the attacks.
The Houthi rebels have intensified their attacks in the Red Sea, targeting commercial and military vessels with drones, missiles, and small boats since October 7, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas following its attacks and Israel’s military response in Gaza. These incidents have raised concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s most crucial waterways for international commerce.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, have showcased a significant arsenal including cruise and ballistic missiles, long-range armed drones, and shore-to-sea missiles capable of hitting vessels in the Red Sea. Despite Iran’s denial of supplying weapons to the Houthis, the group’s military parades have displayed Iranian-made weaponry, indicating a close relationship between them.
The situation has drawn international attention, with the Security Council discussing the growing threat of spillover from the Gaza war and the implications for regional and global security. The attacks on international shipping by Houthi rebels have led to an international response, including a US-led “international maritime coalition” aimed at deterring Houthi aggression. Despite efforts to resolve the conflict, the continuation of these attacks poses a significant threat to maritime navigation, international trade, and regional stability.
