Key facts
- A cargo ship reported an attack by unknown armed assailants in the Red Sea off Yemen.
- The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) is investigating the incident.
- The Rubymar, carrying fertilizers, sank in the Gulf of Aden after a Houthi missile strike.
- Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November.
A cargo ship reported being under attack by unknown armed assailants in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on Sunday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Authorities are investigating the incident, which occurred in a region that has seen heightened maritime security risks since late 2023. The Houthi rebels in Yemen have threatened to resume attacks on ships, though they have not been actively carrying out attacks recently. Somali pirates have also been active in the nearby Gulf of Aden.
In a separate incident earlier in the week, private security guards aboard a cargo ship exchanged small-arms fire with gunmen in a small boat approximately 88 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Balhaf terminal. The guards opened fire, forcing the boat to retreat, and no injuries or damage were reported.
More significantly, the Rubymar, a cargo ship carrying fertilizers, sank in the Gulf of Aden two weeks after being struck by two missiles fired by Houthi rebels. This marks the first vessel sunk by the Iran-backed rebels since they began targeting ships in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war. The sinking has raised concerns about a potential environmental catastrophe due to the ship's cargo of ammonium nitrate fertilizer.
Since November, Houthi rebels have targeted vessels linked to Israel, stating their actions are in support of Palestinians in Gaza. In response, the US and UK have conducted air strikes against Houthi targets within Yemen. Despite these actions, the rebels continue to carry out attacks, vowing to persist until Israel ceases its military campaign in Gaza. The disruption has led many shipping companies to avoid the Red Sea, a vital waterway for approximately 12% of global seaborne trade.
In another recent event, a ship was attacked with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades in the Red Sea off Yemen, forcing its crew to abandon ship. The UKMTO reported that the ship's armed security team returned fire, and authorities are investigating. A maritime security firm indicated the vessel was attacked by skiffs and drone boats.