A Marshall Islands-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker recently experienced two explosions while sailing near Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, according to British security firm Ambrey. This incident marks the third attack on a merchant vessel within 48 hours. The tanker’s crew, previously US-owned, narrowly avoided damage or injuries in the Red Sea.
Another merchant vessel in the vicinity reported a similar explosion off its starboard beam, as confirmed by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKTMO). However, Reuters could not immediately confirm if both reports pertained to the same ship. These incidents raise concerns over the safety of international commercial shipping in the region.
The attacks are believed to be the work of Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen, who have been launching drones and missiles against ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November. The Houthis claim these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid conflicts in Gaza. Consequently, global shipping has been disrupted, leading to longer and costlier journeys around Africa’s southern tip.
Despite the recent attacks, there were no reports of damage or injuries to the vessels involved. Nevertheless, the United States and Britain have responded by conducting strikes against Houthi targets. The US military’s Central Command reported destroying nine anti-ship missiles and two drones in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Late Thursday, the US military disclosed that the Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles towards the Gulf of Aden and two more towards the Red Sea, but fortunately, no injuries or damage to US or coalition ships were reported. These incidents underscore the escalating tensions in the region and the need for heightened security measures for maritime trade routes.
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