20 February 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – A British-registered cargo ship, the “Rubymar,” was severely damaged and nearly sunk in a missile attack by the Houthi rebels in Yemen on Sunday. The ship, owned by the company of the same name, was sailing through the Gulf of Aden when it was struck by the missile.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari claimed the attack caused “catastrophic damage” to the vessel, leaving it “in grave danger of sinking.” Fortunately, Ambrey, the British Maritime Safety Institute, confirmed that the crew of the Rubymar was unharmed and successfully evacuated following the explosion.
The attack on the “Rubymar” is the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. It raises concerns for the safety of maritime traffic in the strategically important Gulf of Aden, a crucial transit point for global trade.
Details of the damage to the ship and the nature of the cargo it was carrying are still emerging. International authorities are likely to investigate the incident and call for accountability for the attack. This event highlights the ongoing tension and security risks in the region and the vulnerability of commercial shipping vessels caught in the crossfire.
