A cargo ship hit by a Houthi ballistic missile on Monday caused a 18milelong oil slick in the Red Sea, U.S. officials said. The Lebaneseowned, Belizeflagged M/V Rubymar continues to sink, posing an environmental risk compounded by the yetunidentified substance that caused the stain.
Rockets fired from Yemen hit merchant ships
The UKregistered Rubymar was carrying 41,000 tonnes of fertilizer when it was hit by one of two ballistic missiles fired from Houthiheld areas in Yemen. U.S. officials have criticized the Houthis' lack of respect for the regional impact of their attacks, which threaten the fishing industry, coastal communities and food imports.
Ship hit by missile has difficulty towing
According to officials, the threat of further Houthi attacks in the Red Sea combined with water conditions makes it extremely difficult to safely reach the ship and attempt to tow it to port. This appears to be the first time a crew has been forced to evacuate a ship following a Houthi attack.
Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are increasing
According to Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh, attacks by the Houthis have increased in recent days. The Biden administration is struggling to prevent such attacks even as the Houthis stockpile weapons in Yemen.
The rebel offensive has been ongoing for months and, despite several rounds of attacks from the US and Britain, it is unclear how many weapons the group still has. Singh pointed out that while the Houthis claim to be carrying out the attacks in support of the Palestinian people, the majority of ships attacked are linked to other countries.
Singh further noted that while the Houthis claim to be attacking ships affiliated with Israel, many of the ships are linked to other countries. It is noteworthy that another ship hit by the Houthis on Monday, the USowned, Greekflagged M/V Sea Champion, was carrying grain to Yemen. This ship “delivered humanitarian assistance to Yemen 11 times in the last five years,” according to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
Houthis are causing international problems by attacking aid ships
Singh argued that the Houthis' attacks not only triggered an environmental crisis but also affected the arrival of humanitarian aid in Yemen. “They are carrying out attacks against ships carrying goods, services and supplies for their own people, creating their own international problem,” he concluded. The precise impact of these attacks and their potential to deepen the humanitarian and environmental crisis in the region remain urgent questions to be addressed.