- Red Sea Assault Forces Crew to Abandon Bulk Carrier.
- Maritime Attack Mirrors Houthi Tactics, Says Security Firm.
- Fire and Flooding Hit Vessel After Multi-Phase Assault.
A crew aboard a bulk carrier in the Red Sea had to abandon their ship after facing a series of coordinated attacks that included gunfire, drones, and missiles. This assault, which took place off the southwest coast of Yemen, is thought to resemble earlier attacks carried out by Houthi militants, reports Reuters.
Coordinated Multi-Phase Assault
As reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the security firm Ambrey, the vessel was first targeted by eight small boats that opened fire and launched self-propelled grenades. The armed security team on board responded with gunfire to defend themselves.
After the initial assault from the small boats, the ship endured a second wave of attacks that involved four Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and missile strikes. Ambrey reported: “Two of the USVs impacted the port side of the vessel, damaging the vessel’s cargo.” UKMTO added that the attacks led to a fire on board.
Crew Abandons Ship and is Rescued by Passing Vessel
A crew had to abandon their ship when it started taking on water. Fortunately, they were all rescued by a nearby merchant vessel, as confirmed by maritime security sources. The operator of the vessel also verified this information to Reuters. UKMTO confirmed: All crew were safe after being rescued by a passing merchant vessel.
Houthi Profile Suspected Behind Attack
No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far. However, Ambrey assessed that the vessel fit “the established Houthi target profile.” The attack took place 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.
Context of Regional Tensions
This marks the first significant attack in the region since mid-April. The situation remains tense, with ongoing conflicts in Gaza and a recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran, which was followed by U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June. Since November 2023, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group has launched over 100 attacks on commercial shipping, expressing their support for Palestinians amid Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
These actions have caused major disruptions in global maritime traffic, resulting in ships being rerouted and increased security measures. During this period, the group has sunk two vessels, captured another, and tragically claimed the lives of at least four seafarers. In May, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that The U.S. would stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen, saying that the group had agreed to stop interrupting important shipping lanes in the Middle East.
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Source: Reuters
