Houthis Target Three Ships in Red Sea and Arabian Sea Amid Escalating Tensions

TDT | Yemen                                               

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Yemen's Houthi forces claimed responsibility for targeting three vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea on Monday, as part of what they described as their efforts to enforce a naval blockade on Israel. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in the region's ongoing tensions, with the Houthis threatening further disruptions to global shipping.

In a televised address, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea stated that the ships were targeted for attempting to approach ports bound for Israel. “These actions will continue until Israel halts its offensive on Gaza and Lebanon,” Sarea added, signaling the Houthis' intention to sustain their naval blockade strategy.

Liberian-Registered Vessels Targeted
According to data from LSEG, all three ships involved were registered in Liberia. The first vessel, identified by the Houthis as the Motaro, was last tracked off Yemen's western coast in the Red Sea. It was en route from Egypt’s Suez Canal to Shanghai at the time of the attack. The second vessel, the SC Montreal, was reportedly targeted in the Arabian Sea while traveling from Port Victoria in Seychelles to Salalah, Oman. The third ship, the Maersk Kowloon, was tracked in the western Indian Ocean, also headed to Salalah from an earlier stop.

Explosions Reported
British maritime security firm Ambrey earlier reported two explosions near a merchant vessel traveling approximately 14 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Al Dhubab. This incident was also addressed by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, which received reports of three explosions south of Yemen’s port of Mokha. UKMTO confirmed that the ship and its crew were safe, and that the vessel had continued on its journey to its next port of call.

Threat to Global Shipping
The Houthis’ naval actions have raised concerns over the security of a critical maritime route that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, a vital corridor for global trade. These attacks pose significant risks to commercial shipping, as the region’s waters serve as a crucial link between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

With no immediate halt in the Houthis' naval blockade strategy in sight, tensions in the region are likely to intensify, further threatening the flow of goods through one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

Maritime organizations and governments are monitoring the situation closely, as the Houthis continue their military campaign to pressure Israel and disrupt regional stability.