🔥 Trending India Condemns Unprovoked Attack on Ship Near Yemen; 13 Indian Sailors Rescued

The waters near Yemen, particularly the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, have been a focal point for maritime attacks, primarily orchestrated by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. These attacks have significantly impacted global shipping and trade routes.

Context of the Attacks

The Houthi attacks are largely a response to the ongoing Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war, which began in 2014 ³⁷. The Houthis have declared a blockade of Saudi Arabian ports and ships in the Bab-el-Mandeb, citing Saudi Arabia's "aggressive siege" and "plundering of resources" in Yemen ¹⁷. These actions are part of a broader conflict where the Houthis aim to defend shipping from what they perceive as aggression ⁴.

Key Incidents and Their Impact

Several notable incidents illustrate the nature and severity of these attacks:

• **Sinking of the Rubymar (March 2024):** This bulk carrier sank off the Yemeni coast after being struck, marking the first vessel lost in the Houthi campaign ³.
• **Sinking of the Tutor (June 2024):** This bulk carrier sank after an attack involving an uncrewed surface vessel and missiles. This incident resulted in the death of a crew member and was described as the most sophisticated strike of the campaign at that time ³.
• Attacks on Oil Tankers: There have been reports of expanding strikes on energy tankers, pushing oil prices higher ⁴. Some incidents involved tankers being struck while transmitting AIS-dark (meaning their Automatic Identification System was turned off), leaving them adrift and on fire ².

Methods of Attack

The Houthi rebels have employed various methods in their attacks:

• Missiles: Both cruise missiles and other types of missiles have been used against ships ²³⁵.
• Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs): These remote-controlled boats have been utilized in sophisticated attacks, as seen with the Tutor incident ³.
• Naval Mines and Other Explosives: While not explicitly detailed in the provided sources for recent incidents, these methods have historically been a concern in the region.

Broader Regional Tensions

Beyond the Houthi attacks, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for oil shipments, has also seen incidents involving Iranian forces. Iranian media has reported that the Revolutionary Guard launched missiles towards ships in the Strait of Hormuz ⁵. Iran is also in the final stages of drafting an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz waterway with Oman ⁶. These incidents highlight the volatile geopolitical landscape of the region, where maritime security remains a significant concern.