Yemen’s Houthi rebels are suspected of launching an attack in the Gulf of Aden, targeting a ship near Nishtun, Yemen, close to Oman’s border. This attack was one of the furthest from previous assaults by the Houthis and occurred near Yemen’s Socotra Island. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported an explosion near a merchant vessel, with the crew reported safe as the ship continued to its next port. This attack is potentially part of a widening escalation by the group, as the U.S. has sent the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower back home after an eight-month deployment leading the American response to the Houthi assaults.
The attack occurred on Monday morning in the Gulf of Aden, about 280 miles southeast of Nishtun, a town in Yemen close to the Oman border. The attack happened near Yemen’s Socotra Island, which is held by allies of the exiled government. The UK Maritime Trade Operations has not provided further information about the attack, but suspicion fell on the Houthis, who did not immediately claim responsibility. Somali pirates are known to operate in the region as well, but typically take vessels for ransom rather than launch attacks against them. This attack is one of the furthest from over 60 attacks launched by the Houthis since November, highlighting a potential escalation.
In May, a Portuguese-flagged container ship was attacked by a drone in the far reaches of the Arabian Sea, in an attack claimed by the Houthis. Experts have questioned whether Iran, the main benefactor of the Houthis, could have launched the attack due to the distance at which it occurred. The Houthis have made other claims of targeting vessels at even greater distances without independent confirmation. The rebels have fired missiles and drones in their campaign, resulting in the deaths of four sailors and the seizure and sinking of two vessels since November. A U.S.-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January, with a series of strikes on May 30 causing casualties.
The Houthis have maintained that their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the United States, or Britain. However, many of the ships attacked have little to no connection to the Israel-Hamas conflict, including those bound for Iran. The Houthis have claimed attacks later attributed to Iran, such as the 2019 attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil fields that significantly impacted the kingdom’s energy production. Despite the lack of evidence for some of their claims, the Houthis continue to target vessels in the region. The attack in the Gulf of Aden represents a potential escalation in their campaign, as they continue to disrupt shipping routes crucial to Asian, Middle East, and European markets.
The attack in the Gulf of Aden comes as the U.S. has withdrawn the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower after an eight-month deployment leading the American response to Houthi assaults. These attacks have reduced shipping through the region, impacting global trade. The Houthis’ targeting of vessels in the region has resulted in casualties and raised concerns about their motives and capabilities. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as the conflict in Yemen shows no signs of abating. The attack in the Gulf of Aden highlights the ongoing threat posed by the Houthi rebels, as they continue to target vessels in the region.
