Houthis fire at ‘floating bomb’
DUBAI: The crew of a Britishregistered cargo vessel have been forced to abandon ship off the coast of Yemen after being hit by missiles fired by Houthi rebels, who also damaged another vessel.
The belize-flagged Rubymar, carrying “very dangerous” fertiliser, took on water after it was struck in the Gulf of Aden.
A UK government spokesperson condemned what they called a “reckless attack” on the bulk carrier and said coalition vessels rushed to the scene to assist the crew after they left the ship anchored.
“Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe,” the Royal Navy’s UK Maritime Trade Operations announced.
“Military authorities remain on scene to provide assistance.”
Late on Monday, the Houthis said they had targeted three vessels in the Red Sea over a 24-hour period, including the Rubymar, the US-owned Sea Champion and the Navis Fortuna, which they described as being “American.”
Earlier, maritime security firm Ambrey had reported that a Greek-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier was attacked twice in two hours in the gulf, which adjoins the Red Sea.
The carrier reported a “missile attack” before another projectile hit the water just metres from the ship, Ambrey said.
The UKMTO said it had received a report of an incident 110km north of Djibouti, also near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Following the incidents, the European Union formally launched a naval mission to protect Red Sea shipping from the Yemen-based Houthi rebels, who have been attacking Western shipping in the area since November in a campaign they say is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.
The EU aims to have the mission – which is called Aspides, Greek for “shield” – up and running in a “few weeks” with at least four vessels.
“Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working alongside our international partners,” EU president Ursula von der Leyen said.
The Houthi attacks have forced some companies to take alternative routes, including a two-week detour around the tip of southern Africa.