A commercial ship, the M/V Verbena, was reportedly struck twice by Houthi-fired cruise missiles in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was still on fire at the time of U.S. Central Command’s report, and one mariner was severely injured and flown via helicopter to another vessel for medical treatment. The U.S. reported that the Iranian-backed Houthis launched the missiles, causing significant damage to the Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, and Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier.
The attack on the M/V Verbena is the latest in the Houthis’ campaign over the Israel-Hamas war. The Houthis have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor, claiming that the attacks are aimed at stopping the war and supporting the Palestinians. However, the attacks often target vessels that have no connection to the conflict. This attack follows a boat-borne bomb attack against a commercial ship in the Red Sea the day before. The Houthis typically take hours or days to claim responsibility for their attacks.
Since November, the Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, killing three sailors, seizing one vessel, and sinking another, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. A U.S.-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January, resulting in casualties on both sides. The Houthis have also detained staff from various organizations, including three staff members from the Washington-based National Democratic Institute earlier in the month. The institute, a democracy promotion organization that has worked in Yemen since 1993, called for the immediate release of their staff and other unjustly detained individuals.
The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties, with over 36,000 Palestinians killed according to Gaza health officials. The Houthis claim to be targeting shipping in the region to support the Palestinians, though their attacks have caused harm to civilians and vessels with no ties to the conflict. The conflict began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel and resulted in a series of violent encounters that have continued to escalate.
The M/V Verbena reported extensive damage and fires on board, with the crew working to combat the blaze. The vessel had docked in Malaysia and was en route to Italy carrying wood when it was attacked. Various organizations have condemned the arbitrary and inhumane treatment of individuals involved in humanitarian and civil society work, calling for their immediate release. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, coupled with the Houthis’ targeting of commercial shipping, has created a volatile and dangerous situation in the region.
