The U.S. Embassy in Yemen warned on Monday that the attacks carried out by the Houthi group on ships and oil tankers in the Red Sea could lead to an “environmental disaster” in Yemen, according to the “Arab World News Agency”. The embassy stated on its “X” platform account that “the reckless Houthi attacks on ships and oil tankers could cause an environmental disaster in Yemen, even after the world came together to save the oil tanker Safer.” The embassy added, “The Houthis must stop endangering the livelihoods of Yemenis.”
The British Maritime Trade Operations reported today that the crew of a ship that experienced an explosion near the Yemeni port of Mocha last night has left the vessel. The organization was informed by military authorities that the ship’s crew had evacuated following the explosion, the cause of which has yet to be disclosed. Military authorities are present at the site of the incident, south of Mocha in Yemen, to provide assistance.
The United States and Britain have repeatedly targeted Houthi sites in Yemen with the aim of disrupting and weakening the group’s ability to threaten navigation in the Red Sea and undermine global trade movement.
Since October 7, the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have significantly escalated, targeting commercial and military vessels. This increase in attacks is in response to the broader regional conflict, particularly the war in Gaza, which has seen the Houthis, an Iran-backed group in Yemen, intensify their assaults on international shipping lanes. The United States and British forces conducted airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on January 11, aiming to retaliate against these disruptions caused by the Houthis to international shipping. The Pentagon reported that 60 targets were hit with over 150 precision-guided munitions in these airstrikes.
The timeline of events leading to these airstrikes began on October 7 with a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which led to a series of missile and drone attacks launched by the Houthis towards Israel and international shipping in the Red Sea. Notably, on November 19, the Houthis carried out a helicopter attack to capture the Galaxy Leader, an Israeli-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship, marking a significant escalation in their maritime attacks. Subsequent Houthi actions included missile launches towards Israel and drone attacks on international shipping, culminating in a large-scale attack on January 9 with 21 drones and missiles fired towards the Red Sea, all of which were intercepted by British and US forces.
The Security Council has been actively discussing the situation, with various representatives expressing concerns over the threat to international peace and security posed by these attacks. The UK and other allies have warned against further attacks and stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The international community is urged to respond collectively to address the threat posed by the Houthis and ensure the safety of navigation in one of the world’s most vital maritime routes.
