The British maritime security agency “UKMTO” reported a missile attack on a ship in the Gulf of Aden off the Yemeni coast on Thursday, causing a fire onboard. The Royal Navy-managed agency stated that the ship was targeted by two missiles, leading to the fire, and coalition forces are responding to the incident.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have launched attacks against cargo ships as part of their solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, claimed responsibility on Monday for attacks on two American ships.
The Houthis announced targeting “two American ships in the Gulf of Aden, the first ‘Sea Champion’ and the second ‘Navis Fortuna’.”
Since November 19, the Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, suspected of being linked to Israel or heading to its ports, in support of Gaza, where a war between Hamas and Israel has been ongoing since October 7.
In an attempt to deter them, American and British forces have been striking Houthi positions since January 12. The US military conducts occasional strikes targeting sites or missiles and drones prepared for launch, with the latest being on Sunday.
Following the Western strikes, the Houthis began targeting American and British ships in the region, deeming the interests of both countries as “legitimate targets.”
Anger is escalating in the Middle East over Israel’s devastating campaign in Gaza in response to an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, fueling violence and leading to attacks by Iran-supported groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
The Red Sea crisis, which began on October 19, has seen a surge in hostilities, particularly with the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen launching missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory and commercial vessels near the Bab al Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint. These actions by the Houthis, including the seizure of civilian-operated cargo ships, are part of a broader solidarity effort with Palestinians in Gaza, amidst the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel since October 7. The Houthis have declared any Israel-linked shipping as a target, contributing to the broader proxy war between the United States and Iran in the region.
The Security Council has been actively addressing the situation, with various member states expressing their perspectives on the crisis. The potential for spillover from the conflict in Gaza into a broader regional confrontation is a significant concern. Algeria, for instance, emphasized the importance of the Red Sea beyond its role as a shipping route, highlighting the need to consider the broader regional context and the ongoing instability exacerbated by the war in Gaza. The UK and other countries have warned against further Houthi attacks and have called for restraint and a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with the World Health Organization (WHO) having to cancel multiple aid missions due to security concerns. The WHO has urged for better access to deliver humanitarian aid to the region, where the health infrastructure is under severe strain, and a significant portion of the hospitals are only partially operable.
