Houthi Rebel Attacks Escalate Tensions in Strategic Red Sea Corridor

Houthi rebels targeted a vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, resuming their attacks after an 18-day pause. The attack, though unsuccessful, highlighted the ongoing threat to international shipping in the region, part of a larger campaign linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In a resumption of hostilities, Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a commercial ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a major global shipping artery. The attack ended an 18-day halt, underscoring continuous security threats in the Red Sea amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported on the incident, noting two unexploded projectiles near the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, Motaro. Despite these close calls, the ship and its crew emerged unscathed, although the incident raises concerns over the safety of a corridor handling USD 1 trillion in goods annually.

Houthi spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for the attack and two others in the Arabian Sea, providing no proof. The involvement of private security and military responses, including American B-2 stealth bomber deployments, further emphasize the strategic and geopolitical tensions inflaming the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)