SANAA: A Barbados-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier was reportedly struck southwest of the Yemeni port city of Aden on Wednesday, prompting a maritime security firm to initiate a rescue operation for the crew onboard.
According to Ambrey, a maritime security company, the vessel sustained damage following the attack. Parts of the crew have already been evacuated into lifeboats, with a full-scale rescue operation currently underway.
While details of the attack were not immediately provided, Ambrey cautioned other vessels to steer clear of the affected bulker, citing its resemblance to the targeting profile associated with Yemen’s Houthis.
The Houthis, engaged in a campaign since November, have been targeting ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. They claim the campaign is a demonstration of solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Gaza conflict and have threatened to target ships belonging to Israel, the UK, and the United States, as well as those heading to Israeli ports.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that vessels in the vicinity of the stricken bulker witnessed a loud bang and observed a large plume of smoke, confirming the vessel had been hit and sustained damage.
These attacks have prompted major shipping companies to suspend travel through the Red Sea, a critical trade route handling approximately 12 percent of global trade. Since November, at least 15 commercial ships, including four US vessels, have been impacted by the strikes.
The United States and the UK have conducted multiple strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since January.
