Overnight, the conflict in the Red Sea took a perilous turn as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi insurgents intensified their attacks on shipping, resulting in significant consequences. Missiles struck a commercial vessel, compelling its crew to evacuate, while reports emerged of a US drone being downed by an anti-air missile.
According to Bloomberg, the “Rubymar,” a cargo ship flying the Belize flag and traversing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, found itself targeted. The missiles hit the engine room, causing severe damage to the vessel. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center, representing the British military, confirmed the incident, citing an explosion in close proximity to the ship.
“Rubymar” reported the extent of the damage, prompting the crew to abandon the vessel. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center stated that the ship was now anchored, with all crew members accounted for and safe. This marks the first instance where a commercial vessel’s crew has been compelled to evacuate due to rebel attacks.
UKMTO WARNING INCIDENT 033 19 FEB 24
ATTACK – UPDATE 002https://t.co/zHGNgQp1UB#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/j2qqL87yno
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) February 19, 2024
Yahya Sare’e, spokesperson for the Houthis, issued a warning, indicating that the “Rubymar” was at risk of sinking, emphasizing the catastrophic damages sustained, resulting in the vessel coming to a complete halt.
In addition to the attack on the commercial vessel, Sare’e asserted that Yemeni air defenses successfully targeted a US General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper drone in the region, using a suitable missile while the drone was engaged in hostile missions against Yemen.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center also disclosed another incident, indicating the persistent threat in the area.
Despite extensive efforts by the US and UK, including numerous attacks aimed at neutralizing the rebels, the continued missile and drone assaults on the international shipping lane underscore a significant failure by the collective West to restore peace and ensure safety in the region.
