In a show of solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen have launched a series of attacks on international shipping. The most recent target, the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Laax, sustained damage from missile strikes off the Yemeni coast. The Greek-owned vessel began taking on water but managed to continue its journey despite the setback.
The Laax was hit 85 kilometers from the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, issuing a distress call indicating damage to its cargo hold. Further damage occurred from a second strike on Tuesday evening, 61 kilometers northwest of Al Mocha, Yemen. Greek shipping sources reported that the Laax was heading to a nearby port to assess the damage.
Since November, the Houthi group, which controls much of southern and central Yemen, has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea. They claim these attacks are in support of Palestinians and a direct response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. Despite waves of air strikes by the US and UK on Houthi positions, the group’s maritime attacks have continued unabated.
The Houthis’ campaign has seen most attacks fail to sink their targets, largely repelled by US-led maritime forces in the region. However, the freighter MV Rubymar sank in March after being struck by two Houthi-launched missiles in February. The Rubymar, en route to Bulgaria, became the first vessel sunk since the Houthis began their campaign in mid-November, targeting the Red Sea and the Bab Al Mandeb Strait—one of the world’s most crucial shipping routes, accounting for about 12% of global maritime traffic.
The Houthis have vowed to persist with their attacks as long as Israel continues its military actions in Gaza, aiming to disrupt global trade and pressure Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
Marex Media
