A vessel traveling through the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen recently experienced two close-range explosions, according to a statement by the UK Maritime Trade Operations. The vessel and its crew are all reported to be safe, although authorities are currently investigating the incident. Details regarding the ship and the nature of the attack have not been disclosed by the UK Maritime Trade Operations, which is operated by the Royal Navy of Britain.
Yemen’s Huthi rebels, backed by Iran, have been actively carrying out numerous drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November. The Huthis have stated that their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In a concerning development, the Huthis have threatened to escalate their operations to target ships bound for Israel in the Mediterranean Sea. This has prompted the United States to launch an initiative in December aimed at safeguarding shipping in the Red Sea from potential Huthi attacks, which have caused many major companies to avoid using the route that typically handles 12% of global trade.
The US and Britain have also taken retaliatory measures against Huthi targets in Yemen since January as a response to the escalating attacks on commercial vessels. In a recent statement, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American military forces successfully intercepted a Huthi-launched drone over the Red Sea, which posed a direct threat to coalition forces and merchant ships operating in the region.
As tensions continue to rise due to repeated attacks, both the US and Britain are actively monitoring the situation in Yemen and the surrounding waters to ensure the safety and security of maritime trade in the region. The ongoing conflict exemplifies the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Middle East, with various actors vying for influence and control over key strategic waterways.