Yemen's Houthi Rebels Launch Attack Near Commercial Vessel in Red Sea Amid Ongoing Conflicts

Yemen's Houthi rebels launched an attack near a commercial vessel in the Red Sea, causing multiple explosions. Western authorities reported no immediate damage to the ship. The Houthis later claimed they targeted American warships in the area. This incident is part of their ongoing campaign against shipping routes amid the Israel-Hamas conflict and Israel's ground operations in Lebanon.

The Houthis have vowed to persist with these attacks as long as the conflicts continue. Their actions have significantly reduced shipping traffic through this crucial waterway. A UN panel of experts has suggested that the Houthis might be extorting about $180 million monthly from shippers for safe passage.

Houthi Attacks on Shipping

The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre reported an attack on a vessel 130 km southwest of Hodeida, a port city controlled by the rebels. Despite the blasts, there were no injuries, and the ship continued its journey. The connection between this report and the Houthi claim remains unclear, though similar incidents have occurred before.

Since October 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 90 merchant vessels using missiles and drones. They have seized one ship and sunk two others, resulting in four sailor deaths. Some attacks have been intercepted by a US-led coalition or failed to hit their targets, which include Western military ships.

Allegations of Extortion

The Houthis assert that their attacks focus on ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK to pressure an end to Israel's actions against Hamas in Gaza. However, many targeted vessels have no ties to the conflict, including some heading to Iran. The rebels have also downed several American MQ-9 Reaper drones.

The last maritime attack by the Houthis occurred on October 28, targeting the Liberian-flagged bulk tanker Motaro. Earlier, on October 10, they attacked another Liberian-flagged chemical tanker, Olympic Spirit. The reasons behind a decrease in Houthi attacks are unclear, but they have also launched missiles toward Israel.

International Response

On October 17, the US military deployed B-2 stealth bombers against underground bunkers used by the rebels. Recent US airstrikes have also targeted Houthi positions. Meanwhile, a UN report from October alleges that "the Houthis allegedly collected illegal fees from a few shipping agencies to allow their ships to sail through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden without being attacked." The report estimates these fees generate around USD 180 million monthly but notes it couldn't verify this information.

The Houthis haven't directly addressed these allegations but did send threatening emails to shippers. One of these vessels was later attacked by them. The situation remains tense as international efforts continue to address these maritime threats.