An explosion near a vessel off the south coast of Yemen on Wednesday raised concerns about the safety of Red Sea shipping, as it was suspected to be an attack by the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, according to a British maritime security agency.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that the explosion occurred approximately 100 meters from a vessel, located 50 nautical miles south of the Yemeni port of Mokha. However, reassuringly, the agency stated that both the vessel and its crew were safe, with no reports of injuries or damage.
This incident reflects the ongoing conflict in the region, with the Huthi rebels recently targeting ships in the Red Sea. The rebels claimed that these attacks were in support of Palestinians in Gaza, who have been affected by the Hamas-Israel war.
In response to the escalating situation, the United States and Britain conducted joint strikes to diminish the Huthis’ ability to threaten shipping in the area. The US also launched unilateral air raids, destroying Huthi anti-ship missiles that were deemed to pose an imminent threat to ships in the vicinity.
Despite these actions, the Huthis have remained defiant, continuing to target ships and declaring American and British interests as legitimate targets. This has created a dangerous and volatile environment for maritime activities in the region.
The repeated incidents and conflicting interests of the parties involved underscore the complexities and challenges in maintaining maritime security in the Red Sea. With tensions running high, there is a pressing need for international cooperation and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of shipping in the region.