Houthi Rebels Intensify Assaults on Red Sea Merchant Vessels After US Strikes

^{Image Credit: VOA News}

In the wake of the US military’s counteraction, Houthi rebels escalated their assaults on merchant vessels in the Red Sea on February 2. The Iran-backed Houthi militants, stationed in Yemen, have persistently targeted commercial ships traversing the Red Sea, despite prior warnings from the United States. On February 1, the US military reported intercepting an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen, noting no injuries or damages, according to Reuters.

Following the US military’s response, Houthi rebels heightened their attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, including a strike on a fuel tanker operated by Trafigura on February 2. A Trafigura spokesperson disclosed that the missile hit the fuel tanker Marlin Luanda, carrying Russian naphtha purchased below G7 sanctions. The company stated firefighting equipment was deployed to control a fire in one cargo tank and reassured ongoing monitoring of the situation.

In a series of incidents on Thursday, Houthi rebels launched three separate attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The US Central Command Forces (CENTCOM) retaliated by shooting down a drone in the Gulf of Aden and destroying a Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) in the Red Sea. CENTCOM justified the action, citing an “imminent threat” to US Navy ships, causing significant secondary explosions. The statement emphasized the move aimed to safeguard freedom of navigation and enhance security for both US Navy and merchant vessels.

Additionally, CENTCOM revealed on social media that Houthi militants launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles toward a Liberian-flagged, Bermuda-owned cargo ship. Fortunately, the missiles missed their target, falling into the sea without causing injuries or damage. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges posed by Houthi attacks in the region.