In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a Greek-flagged oil tanker faced a series of attacks as it traveled through the Red Sea. The vessel was left out of control and drifting ablaze following the assault, suspected to be carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, according to the British military. This incident occurred amidst a continuous campaign by the Houthis disrupting the trade route between Israel and Hamas, impacting the passage of approximately $1 trillion in cargo annually throughout the monthslong conflict.
During the attack about 140 kilometers (90 miles) west of Hodeida, a port city controlled by the rebels, unidentified men on small boats initiated gunfire using small arms. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, run by the British military, reported that the ship was also struck by four projectiles, although the nature of these projectiles—whether drones or missiles—was initially unclear. No casualties were reported, but the vessel was reported as “not under command,” indicating a complete loss of power.
Following the assault, the UKMTO informed that the ship was adrift and on fire in the Red Sea. The Greek shipping ministry later identified the vessel as the Sounion, carrying 25 crew members on a voyage from Iraq to Cyprus during the attack. Subsequently, the UKMTO reported a second ship in the Gulf of Aden targeted by three explosions in close proximity, which luckily resulted in no damage.
As of now, the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attacks. The rebels have previously targeted over 80 vessels using missiles and drones since the conflict began in Gaza. Their attacks have primarily purportedly focused on ships associated with Israel, the United States, or the UK in an attempt to halt Israel’s offensive against Hamas. However, many of the targeted vessels have had little to no connection to the conflict, including those en route to Iran.
With Iran threatening retaliation against Israel over the Hamas leader’s assassination in Tehran, the United States has deployed military assets in response. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group has been directed to hasten its journey to the area, while the USS Georgia-guided missile submarine has been sent to the Middle East. Additional F-22 fighter jets have been dispatched to the region along with the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship carrying F-35 fighter jets, stationed in the Mediterranean Sea.