UKMTO reports incident near Yemen’s Hodeidah
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations says it has received a report of an incident 51 nautical miles (94.5km) southwest of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah.
In an update posted on X, the UKMTO said the vessel had been engaged by multiple small vessels that opened fire with small arms and self-propelled grenades.
It said an armed security team returned fire.
Houthis ‘obligated’ to confront US, Israel
Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi said Israel, the US and their allies are considered a “serious threat for the Muslim ummah” who are trying to erase the religious identity of nations and belittle them through undermining their values and taking their resources.
“What the enemy is committing, including what it is doing in Palestine through genocide and all forms of injustice and crime, obligates us, as a matter of faith-based responsibility, to confront American and Israeli tyranny,” he said.
The Houthis had also organised another large rally on Friday, as part of weekly demonstrations to protest the war on Gaza and attacks on Yemen.
What do we know about the ship attack near Yemen and why does it matter?
An armed attack has damaged a ship in the Red Sea off the southwest coast of Yemen, in what could signal that the Houthis are preparing for renewed attacks as they defy Israel and the United States.
Maritime security sources identified the vessel as the Liberian-flagged and Greek-owned bulk carrier Magic Seas.
UKMTO and British security firm Ambrey said eight small boats first targeted the ship with gunfire and self-propelled grenades. Ambrey said four sea drones were launched at the ship as well, which damaged its port side and its cargo.
The ship has taken water, and the explosions resulted in a fire onboard, but no injuries have been reported among the crew so far, who are preparing to abandon ship.
The Houthis have launched many similar attacks since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, but the attacks had largely stopped after the group reached a ceasefire with the US in early May. The group launched a ballistic missile at Israel earlier today, which was intercepted.
The rare naval attack also comes shortly after the US-announced ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Tehran backs the Houthis, who are a member of its “axis of resistance” of armed groups across the region.
