In brief
The Houthis have intensified their campaign against maritime shipping in the Red Sea, recently targeting the oil tanker Scarlet Ray. This incident is seen as part of their broader strategy amid the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict and recent Israeli airstrikes that claimed key Houthi figures. Concerns grow over the safety of shipping routes vital for global trade, while ongoing conflicts in the region continue to escalate tensions.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced Monday that they fired a missile at an oil tanker located off the Saudi Arabian coast in the Red Sea, a move that may reignite their targeting of shipping activities within this crucial maritime lane.
In a taunting prerecorded message broadcast on al-Masirah, a Houthi-controlled satellite channel, military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed that the targeted vessel, the Liberian-flagged Scarlet Ray, is linked to Israeli interests.
While the owners of the vessel, Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping, were not immediately available for comments, maritime security consultant Ambrey characterized Scarlet Ray as a legitimate target from the Houthis' perspective, noting its connection to Israeli ownership through billionaire Idan Ofer.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a British military entity overseeing Middle Eastern shipping traffic, confirmed that a nearby ship reported hearing a sudden splash and a subsequent bang shortly before the Houthi announcement.
From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis have been actively targeting over 100 ships, employing missiles and drones, amid the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, resulting in the sinking of four vessels and fatalities among maritime personnel.
The Houthis paused their assaults during a temporary ceasefire earlier in the conflict, but they are now the subjects of intense airstrike campaigns led by the U.S., which included significant actions ordered by President Donald Trump. In July, these airstrikes resulted in the sinking of two vessels, killing several aboard.
This new attack by the Houthis comes as potential ceasefire discussions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict remain precariously poised. The fate of ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear program is also under scrutiny following a series of Israeli strikes targeting Iranian sites.
Recent Israeli airstrikes have been attributed to the deaths of several prominent Houthi officials, including the group's prime minister, indicating a rapid escalation in hostilities.
Additionally, the Houthis have targeted U.N. offices in Yemen's capital, detaining at least 11 employees, demonstrating a broader objective amid the ongoing violence.
