August 31st 2024.
Dubai was shaken by news of an attack on a Liberian-flagged container ship in the Gulf of Aden on Friday night. It was suspected that the missiles were fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen. Fortunately, the missiles splashed down nearby without causing any damage. This was a relief for authorities, who had been on high alert after a previous attack on a Greek-flagged oil tanker in the nearby Red Sea.
In that incident, the Houthis had violently boarded the tanker and planted explosives, which they later detonated. This was a serious threat to the safety of the crew and the environment, as the tanker was carrying oil. The rebels' actions have been disrupting the flow of goods through the Red Sea, which is a major route for trade worth USD 1 trillion each year. This situation has also affected the delivery of aid to conflict-affected countries like Sudan and Yemen.
The latest attack saw two missiles exploding near the vessel, which was about 240 kilometers east of Aden. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, responsible for monitoring shipping in the region, reported that all crew members were safe and the ship was continuing its journey to its next port of call. Investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
The Joint Maritime Information Centre, a multinational organization overseen by the US Navy, has identified the targeted vessel as the Liberian-flagged container ship Groton. This is not the first time the Groton has been attacked by the Houthis. On August 3, it was also targeted with missiles while sailing off Aden, causing minor damage. The centre has revealed that the reason for the attack was the vessel's connection to other ships that had recently made port calls in Israel.
While the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack on Friday, it is not uncommon for them to take some time before acknowledging their actions. Since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza, they have targeted over 80 vessels with missiles and drones. In some cases, the United States-led coalition in the Red Sea has managed to intercept the attacks, while others have not reached their intended targets. The rebels claim that they are targeting ships linked to Israel, the US, or the UK in an effort to end Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, it has been noted that some of the attacked ships have had no connection to the conflict, including those en route to Iran.
In a separate incident, the US military's Central Command has reported that it successfully destroyed two drones over Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. This was in response to the rebels' continued use of drones for attacks. The situation in the region remains tense, with authorities and shipping companies on high alert for any further attacks.
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