On 28 October, Yemen’s Houthi group announced their involvement in targeting three vessels in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, according to Reuters, as part of their efforts to impose a naval blockade against Israel.
Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, stated in a televised address that the attacks targeted ships attempting to reach Israeli ports.
According to LSEG data, all three vessels were registered in Liberia.
- The 2006-built bulk carrier Motaro was last observed off the western coast of Yemen in the Red Sea, navigating from Egypt’s Suez Canal towards Shanghai.
- The 2004-built container ship SC Montreal was reportedly targeted in the Arabian Sea during its journey from Seychelles’ Port Victoria to Salalah, Oman.
- The 2005-built container ship Maersk Kowloon was located in the western Indian Ocean, also en route from Salalah.
Maersk’s spokesperson, however, said that Maersk Kowloon was not attacked, refuting Houthis’ claims.
Earlier that day, British maritime security firm Ambrey reported two explosions near a merchant ship approximately 14 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Al Dhubab.
This followed earlier announcements from the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations regarding three explosions 25 nautical miles south of Yemen’s port of Mokha.
The UKMTO confirmed the vessel and its crew were unharmed and continued their journey to the next port of call.
The Houthis have declared they will persist with these actions until Israel ceases its operations in Gaza and Lebanon. These developments pose substantial risks to commercial shipping in a vital corridor for international trade.
