Houthi forces in Yemen launched missile attacks on two ships in the Red Sea, causing slight damage to one of the vessels near Yemen’s Hodeidah coast.
The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have been attacking commercial ships in the region since mid-November, claiming these actions as support for Palestinians in the conflict with Israel in Gaza.
The targeted ships, Morning Tide and Star Nasia, sailing under Barbados and Marshall Islands flags, were mistaken by the Houthis for British and American vessels.
A UK maritime security company reported that a Barbados-flagged cargo ship was hit by a drone but sustained no injuries, and the ship continued its voyage after evasive maneuvers.
The Morning Tide’s British owner confirmed the vessel was operational, without elaborating.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported a projectile attack near Hodeidah, causing minor damage but no harm to the vessel or crew. The Morning Tide was tracked moving through the Red Sea, having passed the Suez Canal.
These attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted international shipping, leading to longer, costlier routes and raising concerns about the conflict’s potential to destabilize the Middle East. In response, the US and UK targeted Houthi sites in Yemen following the Red Sea incidents.
The US military reported a defensive strike against Houthi threats to naval and commercial ships in the area.
