DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Monday they had launched a missile at an oil tanker off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, a move that could reignite their campaign against vessels traversing this vital global shipping route.
In a message broadcast on al-Masirah, their television channel, Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree indicated that the targeted vessel, the Scarlet Ray, was associated with Israel. The ship's operational owners, Eastern Pacific Shipping, based in Singapore, have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Maritime security analysis from the firm Ambrey stated that the Scarlet Ray fits the profile of Houthi targets due to its associated ownership by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. This marks a notable increase in tensions given the Houthis’ previous attacks on maritime traffic, particularly during the conflict in Gaza.
Between November 2023 and December 2024, the Houthis are estimated to have targeted over 100 ships, sinking four and resulting in at least eight fatalities.
The incident coincides with a fragile ceasefire situation in the Israel-Hamas war, which is in jeopardy following intensified U.S. airstrike campaigns against the Houthis as a result of their earlier aggression. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration had previously intervened but had also announced a temporary ceasefire, which has not held amidst ongoing hostilities.
With the situation on the ground evolving rapidly, the future of maritime safety over the Red Sea remains uncertain as both geopolitical tensions and military actions unfold.
In a message broadcast on al-Masirah, their television channel, Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree indicated that the targeted vessel, the Scarlet Ray, was associated with Israel. The ship's operational owners, Eastern Pacific Shipping, based in Singapore, have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Maritime security analysis from the firm Ambrey stated that the Scarlet Ray fits the profile of Houthi targets due to its associated ownership by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. This marks a notable increase in tensions given the Houthis’ previous attacks on maritime traffic, particularly during the conflict in Gaza.
Between November 2023 and December 2024, the Houthis are estimated to have targeted over 100 ships, sinking four and resulting in at least eight fatalities.
The incident coincides with a fragile ceasefire situation in the Israel-Hamas war, which is in jeopardy following intensified U.S. airstrike campaigns against the Houthis as a result of their earlier aggression. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration had previously intervened but had also announced a temporary ceasefire, which has not held amidst ongoing hostilities.
With the situation on the ground evolving rapidly, the future of maritime safety over the Red Sea remains uncertain as both geopolitical tensions and military actions unfold.
