Red Sea Witnesses Multiple Attacks on Commercial Vessels
In the southern Red Sea’s international waters, three commercial vessels were subjected to attacks, as confirmed by the U.S. military on Sunday. Concurrently, Yemen’s Houthi group asserted responsibility for launching drone and missile attacks on two Israeli vessels in the same region.
The American destroyer, Carney, responded promptly to distress calls, offering assistance in the aftermath of missile and drone launches originating from Houthi-controlled territory, as reported by U.S. Central Command.
Yemen’s Houthi movement declared that its navy had carried out the attacks on two Israeli ships, namely Unity Explorer and Number 9, utilizing an armed drone and a naval missile. A military spokesperson for the group stated that the vessels were targeted after disregarding warnings, though the details were not specified.
In a broadcast statement, the spokesperson emphasized that the attacks were a response to the Yemeni people’s demands and the appeals from Islamic nations to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian population.
The U.S. military indicated that the Carney intercepted and neutralized three drones while assisting the commercial vessels. Whether the warship itself was a target remained unclear. The military emphasized that these attacks posed a threat to international commerce.
“We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran,” the statement said.
“The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners,” it added.
An Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the two ships had no connection to Israel.
“One ship was significantly damaged and it is in distress and apparently is in danger of sinking and another ship was lightly damaged,” Hagari told reporters in Tel Aviv.
The reported incident follows a series of attacks in Middle Eastern waters since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Oct. 7.
In November, the Houthis, allies of Iran, seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship. The Houthis, who control most of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, had previously launched ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel, expressing intent to target more Israeli vessels.
The Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer, owned by Unity Explorer Ltd and managed by Dao Shipping Ltd, and the Panama-flagged container ship Number 9, owned by Number 9 Shipping Ltd and managed by Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), were involved in the recent incident. Unity Explorer was scheduled to arrive in Singapore on Dec. 15, and Number 9 was heading to Suez Port.
BSM reported that Number 9 sustained damage from a projectile while transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait but is currently sailing with no reports of injuries or pollution. Unity Explorer’s owners and managers have not provided immediate comments.
According to U.S. Central Command, Unity Explorer suffered minor damage, and Number 9 also reported damage. Ambrey and other sources mentioned that both ships were hit by at least two drones in the Red Sea.
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The container ship reportedly suffered damage from a drone attack about 63 miles (101 km) northwest of the northern Yemeni port of Hodeidah, according to Ambrey. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Agency (UKMTO) received reports of a drone attack in the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Last week, a U.S. Navy warship responded to a distress call from an Israeli-managed commercial tanker in the Gulf of Aden after it had been seized by armed individuals.
