A commercial ship came under a complex and ongoing attack in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on Sunday, with armed men using guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and bomb-laden drone boats, according to maritime security reports. The incident occurred approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Hodeida, a port city controlled by Yemen's Houthis, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center. The ship's armed security team reportedly returned fire as the situation unfolded. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault. However, the private security firm Ambrey said the vessel fit the "established Houthi target profile" and reported that eight skiffs launched the initial attack. The firm later confirmed that the ship was also struck by two explosive drone boats, while another two drones were intercepted by onboard security personnel — suggesting a major escalation in maritime threats in the region. The Houthi-affiliated al-Masirah satellite channel acknowledged an attack had occurred but did not issue any formal statement. The U.S. military's Central Command said it was aware of the incident but declined to provide further details. Tensions in the Red Sea have intensified amid the ongoing Gaza conflict and recent military escalation between Iran and Israel. The Houthis have launched dozens of missile and drone attacks on commercial and military vessels since late 2023, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Between November 2023 and January 2025 alone, Houthi attacks targeted over 100 merchant ships, sinking two and killing four crew members. A brief pause in Red Sea attacks followed U.S. airstrikes against Houthi positions in March, but hostilities have resumed sporadically. On Sunday, the Houthis also claimed to have launched a missile at Israel, which was intercepted by Israeli defenses. — Agencies
