UK Maritime Trade Operations Reports Armed Assault on Bulk Carrier 30 Nautical Miles from Hodeidah as Houthis Launch Their Deadliest Ground Offensive Against Government Forces in Years
A cargo ship came under attack Sunday off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea, the British military said; the latest maritime attack off the conflict-torn Arab country. Also this weekend, Yemen’s Houthi rebels killed 16 troops in an attack on government-aligned forces, in some of the most violent fighting seen between the sides in years. CBS News
Both incidents were reported near the port city of Hodeidah, which is under control of the Iranian-backed rebel group. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said the ship reported being “under attack by unknown armed assailants” 30 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah.
A skiff approached the bulk carrier and opened fire, forcing security guards to return fire, before sailing back to a larger ship about 2 nautical miles away with its automatic identification system switched off. The cargo ship and crew were reported safe.
The attack on government forces was reported south of Hodeidah. Hospitals in the area received 16 dead and 22 wounded pro-government forces. An officer called it the “deadliest Houthi attack in years.” The Houthis had attacked with snipers; accounting for most casualties, before launching drone and mortar salvos.
The fighting between the two sides has largely been frozen since a UN-negotiated truce in 2022. But on Friday the Houthis threatened airports and vital assets belonging to Saudi Arabia, accusing the kingdom of trying to stop an Iranian plane from landing.
Two incidents in one weekend; one at sea, one on land signals that the 2022 ceasefire is no longer holding. The Houthis are testing the limits of what the international community will tolerate, and the answer so far appears to be: quite a lot.
Check out our previous coverage of Yemen, the Houthis and Red Sea security on The Trusted Times.
