Houthi Rebels Target Commercial Ship in Red Sea Amid Growing Tensions

Late Sunday night, a suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck a commercial vessel traveling through the southern Red Sea, near the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Though the attack caused no injuries or damage, it highlights the ongoing maritime assault the rebels have waged on shipping in the region, a critical waterway through which over $1 trillion in goods pass annually.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the ship’s captain reported seeing a missile splash near the vessel while it was approximately 30 miles west of Yemen's port city of Mocha. Despite the close proximity of the missile, the ship and its crew were unharmed and continued to their next port of call. The Houthis have yet to claim responsibility for the attack, which is typical for these types of assaults, as they often take hours or days to confirm their involvement.

Houthis Continue Maritime Campaign Amid Israel-Hamas War

This attack is part of a broader campaign by the Houthi rebels, who have targeted more than 90 merchant vessels over the past year. The rebels have stated that their attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, especially in light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Since the war’s escalation in October 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly cross-border assault on Israel, the Houthis have claimed that their attacks are aimed at disrupting shipping routes linked to Israel, the US, and the UK.

Despite these claims, many of the vessels targeted by the Houthis have no direct connection to Israel, with some even bound for Iran. The rebels’ campaign has included missile and drone strikes, with some attacks on Western military vessels, though many of these assaults have been thwarted by US-led coalition forces operating in the region.

Maritime Attacks Continue Despite International Response

The November 11 attack marked the latest in a series of assaults by the Houthis, this time targeting two US Navy warships with drones and missiles in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Fortunately, these attacks were unsuccessful. The international community has reacted to the escalating maritime conflict, with the US and UK conducting multiple strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. US warplanes recently carried out airstrikes on advanced weapons storage facilities used by the Houthis in Yemen, according to the Pentagon.

In addition to the US and UK, Israel has also retaliated against the Houthis for missile and drone attacks. Notably, Israeli airstrikes have targeted Houthi positions in Yemen, including one that resulted in the death of a civilian in Tel Aviv.

The Houthis have fired more than 220 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones at Israel over the past year. This significant uptick in missile attacks reflects the rebels’ ongoing commitment to their stated goal of pressuring Israel to cease its military actions against Hamas in Gaza.