Freighter of Polish-Ukrainian origin gradually submerges following attack by Huthi forces.
Coastal waters of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are a hotspot for major international trade, thanks to the numerous ships that sail through them daily. Unfortunately, these waters have become a battleground for the Huthi rebels who have been launching attacks on merchant vessels, expressing unity with Hamas in Gaza. A Polish-Ukrainian cargo ship is presently adrift off Djibouti's coast following a Huthi rocket assault, according to Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The ship, devoid of crew, is reportedly sinking. Earlier in March, another cargo ship sunk off Yemen's coast after a Huthi assault, reportedly filled with about 41,000 metric tons of fertilizer, causing potential environmental disaster, as per the US military.
Sunk Cargo Ship - Rubymar
In early March, the "Rubymar," a ship filled with fertilizers, sank off Yemen's coast, about two weeks post a Huthi assault. The incident had triggered a warning of an impending environmental crisis from the US military.
The Gulf of Aden and Red Sea have seen repeated attacks by the Huthi militia on civilian cargo ships, thanks to their allegiance with Hamas in Gaza. Consequently, the US, UK, and their allies have retaliated by bombing Huthi targets in Yemen. The militia has ties with Iran and receives funding from Tehran, according to the US government.
On a Thursday, as per the US Central Command, the Huthi militia launched two missiles at a cargo ship, the "Verbena." The Polish-owned and Ukrainian-flagged ship was en route to Italy, carrying timber, when the assault happened, sparking a fire. Initial reports indicated that a severely injured crew member was evacuated, but further developments saw the crew being evacuated, leaving the ship to its fate.
According to earlier reports from the UKMTO, the crew managed to control the fire and continued their journey to the next stop. However, they were eventually evacuated, with the ship being abandoned.
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The Huthi rebels, known for their allegiance with Hamas in Gaza, have escalated their attacks on civilian shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Recently, a Polish-Ukrainian freighter was targeted, resulting in a rocket assault that left the ship adrift and gradually sinking in Djibouti's coast.
These territorial waters have become a significant concern for international trade due to the increased risk of terrorism-related incidents, with the Huthi attacks posing a threat to the safe passage of shipping vessels carrying vital commodities.
