Houthis Accused of Three Attacks on a Ship in the Red Sea

A ship in the Red Sea was targeted in three consecutive attacks suspected to be by Houthi rebels from Yemen. These attacks come as the Houthis' main supporter, the Islamic Republic, is considering possible retaliation against Israel for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, raising concerns about the outbreak of a wider regional war in the Middle East. According to the Associated Press, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the ship was first attacked about 115 kilometers south of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah. The report states that an explosive device detonated near the ship, followed by a small boat that suspiciously illuminated the area near the ship and approached, actions that were accompanied by a second explosion. The security company 'Ambrey' similarly reported these attacks, stating that the ship witnessed 'two close explosions.' UKMTO also reported that the third attack occurred hours later on Tuesday, August 14, 2023, 180 kilometers northwest of Hodeidah. Ambrey stated that the same ship was targeted in all three attacks. As of the time of this report, the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack, although they sometimes wait several days to do so, and in some cases have claimed attacks that do not appear to have occurred. According to this report, the Houthi attacks are currently disrupting the annual flow of one trillion dollars worth of goods through the maritime route, which is vital for trade between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, while sparking the most intense naval battle for the United States since World War II. Since the beginning of the war in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 70 ships with missiles and drones. They have seized one ship and sunk two others, resulting in the deaths of four sailors in these attacks. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by the US-led coalition in the Red Sea or have not reached their targets. Yemeni rebels claim to have targeted ships linked to Israel, the United States, or Britain to end Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the attacked ships have little or no connection to this conflict, including some that were heading to Iran. The Houthis have also fired drones and missiles towards Israel, including an attack on July 19 that killed one person and injured ten others in Tel Aviv. Israel responded the next day with airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah, targeting fuel depots and power stations, resulting in several casualties. After these attacks, the Houthis halted their operations until August 4, when a Liberian-flagged cargo ship passing through the Gulf of Aden was targeted. A Liberian-flagged oil tanker has also been subjected to a series of severe attacks since August 8, likely carried out by the rebels. While the Islamic Republic has threatened retaliation for Haniyeh's killing, the US military has ordered the aircraft carrier group 'Abraham Lincoln' to move to the region more quickly. The US has also deployed the missile submarine 'Georgia' to the Middle East, while the aircraft carrier group 'Theodore Roosevelt' has been present in the Gulf of Oman. Additional F-22 fighter jets have also been sent to the region, and the large amphibious assault ship 'Wasp,' which carries F-35 fighter jets, is stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. 'The Islamic Republic mistakenly believes that if war breaks out, it will be short and limited'; analysis by Mohammad Qayedi. The Washington Post: The Islamic Republic is concerned about the 'neutralization' of its nuclear program in the event of a large attack on Israel. The US announced it will resume sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia.