Houthis in Yemen Target Chemical Tanker in Red Sea

According to news sources, in attacks likely carried out by Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, October 11, a ship was targeted in the Red Sea. This attack comes as the Iran-backed Houthis continue to threaten vessels passing through the Red Sea. This important waterway, which once saw a trillion dollars worth of goods transit annually, has been under constant Houthi attacks since the recent conflicts in the Middle East, stemming from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center reported that a ship in the Red Sea, located off the coast of East Africa, was initially struck by a projectile that damaged the vessel but did not cause a fire. The private security company 'Ambrey' identified the ship as a chemical tanker flying the Liberian flag. At least two more projectiles later fell in the waters surrounding the ship, which was situated far from Hodeidah, the port controlled by the Houthis. The Houthi rebels have not yet claimed responsibility for this attack; however, they may accept responsibility in the coming hours or days. Since the onset of the Gaza war last October, the Houthis have targeted over 80 commercial vessels with missiles and drones. They have also seized one ship, sunk two others, and killed four sailors. Meanwhile, many of the Houthis' missiles and drones have been intercepted by the US-led maritime coalition, preventing them from reaching their targets in the Red Sea, including Western military vessels. The continuation of the Islamic Republic's proxy attacks and Israel's responses coincide with the anniversary of the October 7 attack by CENTCOM on fifteen Houthi positions; military bases and an airport controlled by the Houthis were targeted. The US has sanctioned the Houthi arms supply networks. Israel has attacked Houthi positions supported by the Iranian government in Hodeidah. Shipping companies have increased the 'threat level' for vessels heading to Israeli ports. The Houthis have also attacked Tel Aviv and Ashkelon; Israel stated that it intercepted and destroyed a missile launched from Yemen.