Houthi rebels strike ship in Red Sea amid rising tensions

On October 10, 2024, a series of suspected attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the Red Sea. The incident occurred near the coast of East Africa, where the vessel was struck by a projectile, causing damage but no injuries or fire. This attack is part of a broader pattern of Houthi aggression against maritime traffic in the region, which has intensified since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The British military reported that at least two additional projectiles fell in the vicinity of the ship, which was identified as a Liberian-flagged chemical tanker. The Houthis have been actively threatening vessels in the Red Sea, claiming to target those linked to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. However, many of the attacked ships have no direct connection to the ongoing conflict. Since the beginning of the Gaza war in October, the rebels have launched over 80 attacks on merchant vessels, resulting in the seizure of one ship and the sinking of two others, with four sailors reported killed. The private security firm Ambrey noted that the targeted vessel had a strong affiliation with the Houthi targeting profile, suggesting that the rebels are strategically selecting their targets. The rebels have not claimed responsibility for this specific attack, which is typical as they often take time to acknowledge their actions. The ongoing conflict in the region continues to pose significant risks to maritime security, affecting global trade routes and raising concerns about the safety of shipping in the Red Sea.