No immediate claim of responsibility has been made, but Yemen's Huthi rebels, backed by Iran, have been conducting a series of attacks against Israeli-affiliated vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November. This campaign is seen as a demonstration of solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Israeli conflict in Gaza.
The latest target of these attacks, according to the Joint Maritime Information Centre operated by a Western-led naval task force, was the Maltese-flagged bulk carrier Yannis. This vessel, owned and operated by Greek shipping firm Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited, was en route from Russia to Kenya, as reported by global tracking service MarineTraffic.
This incident follows a similar attack on another bulk carrier owned by the same company, the Cyclades, last month. Maritime security firm Ambrey suggests that the Cyclades was likely targeted due to its association with Israel through ongoing trade activities.
The attempted attack on the Yannis occurred approximately 68 nautical miles off the rebel-controlled Yemeni port city of Hodeida, as reported by Ambrey. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported despite the vessel experiencing what was described as a "missile attack."
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, managed by the Royal Navy, confirmed the incident, reporting "a missile impacting the water in close proximity" to the ship. However, they assured that the vessel and its crew were safe and continuing their journey to the next port of call.
These attacks on shipping in the strategically important trade route have triggered responses from a Western-led naval task force, as well as retaliatory strikes on Huthi targets by British and US military aircraft. In a recent development, US military forces intercepted four drones in rebel-controlled areas of Yemen, citing them as an imminent threat to the coalition and merchant vessels in the region, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
Photo Source Marine Traffic
