After eight days of no attacks in the Red Sea region, Houthi targeting of cargo and military ships has gathered pace again in the past week.
The issue seemed to be under control between March 23 and April 1, which was the longest attack-free period since commercial targeting began, but a number of vessels seem to have been attacked since.
According to UKMTO (UK Maritime Trade Operations), one vessel was the target of two missiles south-west of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The first was intercepted by the military and the second landed safely in the water. The vessel is believed to be the British owned ship ‘Hope Island’.
According to the Houthi’s, a British ship and an unspecified number of US frigates were the target of attacks in the Red Sea. However, a spokesperson has also claimed attacks on two Israeli vessels in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, namely the ‘MSC Grace’ and ‘MSC Gina’.
The attacks on the MSC ships remain unconfirmed, but the MSC Grace is understood to be currently moored at Mombasa with armed guards on board.
If these latest claims are correct, and the Houthi have longer range capabilities into the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, this will be a major concern for carriers and coalition forces.
