Late on Thursday night, the US military reported that Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at an American-owned tanker, the M/V Chem Ranger, in the Red Sea. The vessel, flagged in the Marshall Islands and operated by a Greek company, was targeted near Yemen. Fortunately, the missiles hit the water near the ship, causing no injuries or damage to the vessel.
This marked the third attack by Houthi rebels on commercial shipping vessels in as many days, according to the US Central Command. The incident occurred at approximately 9 p.m. local time in Sanaa. The crew aboard the Chem Ranger witnessed the missiles’ impact but reported no harm or damage. The ship continued its journey without interruption.
Following the attack, the Yemen-based Houthi rebels claimed responsibility on Friday for launching a missile attack on a US ship in the Gulf of Aden. The rebels stated that their naval forces targeted the Chem Ranger with several naval missiles, resulting in direct hits. However, they did not provide specific details about the timing of the attack.
In response to the increased Houthi aggression in the Red Sea region, recent days have seen retaliatory strikes by United States and British forces in Yemen. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with concerns rising over the safety of commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.
The Chem Ranger, a Marshall Islands-flagged chemical tanker, was in route from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Kuwait. A British maritime risk management company, Ambrey, reported a “suspicious” approach by drones southeast of the Yemeni port of Aden. One drone reportedly fell into the sea approximately 30 meters from the tanker. An Indian warship promptly responded to the event, with no reported casualties or damage to the crew or vessel.
Marine Traffic confirmed the Chem Ranger’s route, and the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a similar incident in the same area. According to UKMTO, a drone approached a merchant ship, leading to an explosion in the water about 30 meters away. Thankfully, there were no reported casualties or damage in this incident as well.
Ongoing Concerns: The series of attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea raises ongoing concerns about the safety of maritime activities in the region. The international community continues to assess the situation, with a focus on diplomatic efforts and potential further responses to ensure the security of vital sea routes.
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