Houthi-initiated March Hits Ship in the Red Sea

The British Maritime Trade Operations authority reported today, Saturday, that a ship sustained minor damage in the Red Sea after being struck by an unidentified object. The authority noted in a memorandum that "the ship and its crew are fine and continue their course to the next port of call." The incident occurred 76 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, Yemen. The Houthi movement, allied with Iran, has been attacking vessels in the waters off the country for months, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians who are facing a fierce Israeli military campaign in Gaza. The Houthis have been carrying out attacks using drones and missiles in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Aden Gulf since November. These attacks have compelled shipping companies to alter their shipping routes, opting for longer and more expensive paths around South Africa, and raised concerns about the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, potentially destabilizing the Middle East. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi announced this month an expansion of operations in response to the Israeli attack on Rafah, stating: "With the Israeli aggression on Rafah, the fourth escalation phase includes any ships belonging to any company involved in supplying or transporting goods for the enemy and to any destination they may head." He indicated that "any ship transporting goods to enemy ports after the issuance of the ban will be a target for us wherever we can reach." He emphasized that "we have the capability to target in the fourth phase and are considering the fifth and sixth phases with no red lines."