📷 Image Credits: Al Jazeera English
In a recent escalation of tensions in the Red Sea, Yemen\xe2\x80\x99s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for targeting a Greek-owned cargo ship with a small watercraft and missile attack. The attack caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room of the vessel, named Tutor. The incident took place about 68 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, leading to the ship being vulnerable to sinking. Luckily, there were no reported casualties from the attack. The ownership of the vessel remains unclear regarding any potential connection to Israel. The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have been engaged in a conflict with a Saudi-led coalition and have been actively involved in launching drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November. They have already sunk one ship, seized another vessel, and caused casualties in previous attacks. The recent attack on the Tutor involved an unmanned surface boat, drones, and ballistic missiles, marking the first time the Houthis used a boat as a weapon, according to the US Central Command. The Liberian-flagged Tutor was on its way to India from Russia when it was hit, causing significant damage to its engine room. Following the attack, the vessel was taking on water and was not under the crew\xe2\x80\x99s command. Global trade has been disrupted by the Houthi attacks, leading to diversions of shipping routes away from the Suez Canal shortcut. The US and UK have responded with retaliatory strikes against Houthi targets since February, while the Houthis continue their attacks on commercial shipping. The recent incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region amidst efforts by mediators to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, which has seen significant casualties on both sides.
