Yemen's Houthis launched missiles at cargo ship carrying chemicals
Yemen's Houthis have shelled the western vessel Rubymar (photo: twitter.com/Negin)
Near the coast of Yemen, Houthi rebels fired missiles at a ship carrying hazardous fertilizers. The ship's crew was forced to evacuate, according to the BBC.
The cargo ship Rubymar was flying the flag of the African country of Belize and was registered in the UK.
The strike on the ship occurred as it was in the Gulf of Aden and approaching the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The ship was carrying very dangerous fertilizers and started taking on water after the strike due to damage.
Condemning the reckless attack on the ship, the UK said that allied naval vessels were already on the scene.
This is one of the most destructive attacks by the Houthis and demonstrates the failure of Western countries' efforts to curb terrorists.
Attacks by Yemen's Houthis and the response from Western countries
Since November 2023, Houthi rebels in Yemen have been regularly attacking commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea using drones, cruise, and ballistic missiles. The first attacks began immediately after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
In response to the numerous attacks, on January 12, the US and the UK launched missile strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen for the first time. On January 17, the US designated the Houthis as a world terrorist organization.
Since then, the coalition of Western allies has regularly struck at terrorist positions.
After 10 days of strikes failed to stop attacks on foreign ships, the administration of US President Joe Biden announced the development of a plan for a prolonged military campaign against the Yemeni Houthis.
On February 6, it was reported that a British cargo ship had been attacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea. On February 7, the Houthis launched 6 anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen towards two commercial ships in the southern part of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They did not cause any damage to the ships, and one of the missiles was intercepted and shot down by US military forces.
On the night of Monday, February 19, the Houthis attacked a ship south of the port of Mocha in the Red Sea. The crew abandoned the ship after the attack and is safe.
Houthi attacks have forced many shipping companies to stop using the critically important waterway, which accounts for about 12% of global maritime trade.
