The British maritime security company Amberley reported in an advisory memo today, Friday, that a Liberia-flagged container ship owned by Hapag-Lloyd AG sustained damage due to an "air attack" approximately 50 nautical miles north of the Yemeni port of Al-Makha. Amberley stated that the ship was traveling south through the Bab al-Mandab Strait when it was struck by a projectile that caused a fire on its deck and led to a container falling overboard. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Iranian-aligned Houthi movement has previously targeted ships on shipping routes in the Red Sea and launched drones and missiles towards Israel since the onset of the Gaza war over two months ago, highlighting concerns over the spillover of the conflict in the Middle East. The Houthi movement, which controls most of Yemen, states that the attacks are a demonstration of support for the Palestinians and has vowed to continue them until Israel halts its military campaign.
In another incident, the British Maritime Trade Operations authority reported today, Friday, that it received reports of another incident about 60 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. It remains unclear whether the two incidents are related. The authority advised ships to navigate cautiously and report any suspicious activity. No further details were provided about the incidents. Late Thursday evening, the Houthis announced their responsibility for conducting a military operation against a Maersk container ship, hitting it directly with a drone.
