Houthi Rebels Attack Ship in Gulf of Aden Amid Ongoing Conflict

On Thursday, a ship traveling in the Gulf of Aden came under attack about 15 nautical miles southwest of Aden, Yemen, according to officials. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the ship's captain heard a loud bang, saw a splash and smoke coming from the sea, but confirmed the vessel and crew were safe.

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, identifying the targeted ship as the MSC Darwin, a Liberian-flagged vessel. The Iran-aligned Houthis said they initiated the assault as part of their ongoing campaign against commercial shipping in the Red Sea region, which they claim is in solidarity with Palestinians fighting Israel in the Gaza conflict.

Why this matters: The attack highlights the ongoing threat to maritime security in the region posed by the Houthi rebels. It also underscores the wider geopolitical tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, with the Houthis aligning themselves with the Palestinian cause against Israel.

This latest incident marks the 65th reported attack by the Houthis on shipping in 2024. The rebels have launched over 50 such assaults since November 2023, though the frequency had declined in recent weeks due to a U.S.-led airstrike campaign targeting the group. Just a day earlier, the U.S. military reported that an allied warship had shot down a Houthi missile targeting a vessel near the same area.

In response to the Houthi attacks, the United States and Britain launched a joint military operation in January, conducting air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Western naval forces have also been deployed to the region to counter the strikes on ships in these busy commercial routes, which have forced some vessels to take longer journeys around Africa instead of using the Suez Canal.

The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks on shipping until Israel ends its military offensive in Gaza, which has killed over 34,000 Palestinians since it began in November 2023. However, most of the ships targeted by the rebels have had little or no direct connection to Israel, the U.S., or other nations involved in the Gaza conflict.

"The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, identifying the target as the MSC Darwin," the UKMTO said in a statement. "The crew and vessel were reported to be safe. Military authorities were supporting the ship." Despite the international military response and condemnation, the Houthis remain defiant, with no signs of the attacks on commercial shipping abating as the Gaza war rages on with no end in sight.

Key Takeaways

• Ship attacked 15 nautical miles southwest of Aden, Yemen by Houthi rebels.
• Houthis claim attack was part of campaign against commercial shipping in Red Sea.
• 65th reported Houthi attack on shipping in 2024, despite U.S.-led airstrike campaign.
• U.S. and UK launched joint military operation in January to counter Houthi attacks.
• Houthis vow to continue attacks until Israel ends Gaza offensive, despite condemnation.