Crew abandon British-registered cargo ship off Yemen after Houthi attack
The crew of a Belize-flagged, British-registered cargo vessel have abandoned ship off Yemen after it was hit by missiles fired by the Houthi movement.
Houthis attack British-registered cargo ship
A British-registered cargo ship, the Rubymar, has been abandoned by its crew after it was struck by missiles fired by the Houthi movement. The ship was in the Gulf of Aden, nearing the Bab al-Mandab Strait when it was hit. Security firms have reported that the vessel, which is carrying highly dangerous fertiliser, is taking on water.
The UK has condemned the attack and stated that allied naval vessels are already on the scene to provide assistance. This attack is one of the most damaging ones carried out by the Iran-backed Houthis and highlights the failure of Western efforts to deter them.
The Houthis have been launching attacks on merchant vessels and Western warships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November in support of the Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict. As a result, many shipping companies have stopped using the critical waterway, which accounts for 12% of global seaborne trade.
Confirmation of the attack on the Rubymar
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency received a report of the attack on the Rubymar from the vessel itself. The report indicated that there was an explosion near the ship, causing damage. The crew of the vessel later abandoned it. The UKMTO stated that military authorities are present to provide assistance.
Ambrey, a British maritime security firm, also reported that the Rubymar had come under attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The ship was hit by two missiles and was taking in water. The owners and managers of the vessel are considering options for towage.
The Rubymar's 24 crew members, consisting of Syrians, Egyptians, Filipinos, and Indians, were repatriated by the Djibouti Port Authority after initially being assisted by a passing vessel. It was also revealed that the ship was carrying almost 22 tonnes of highly explosive fertiliser. The current location of the Rubymar is unknown.
Ongoing Houthi attacks and international response
The Houthis continue to launch attacks on ships in the lower Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In response to the attacks, US and UK forces have carried out air strikes on military targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The US has also identified the use of submarine drones by the Houthis in their attacks, which is a concerning development.
Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers have approved a mission to protect international shipping in the Red Sea. The mission, involving ships from France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium, aims to be operational within a few weeks.
The ongoing attacks in the region pose a threat to commercial and military ships. The possibility of a swarm attack directed at a US or British warship remains a significant concern.
