[Updated] Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked and broken a service provider ship within the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb late Sunday, prompting the crew to desert ship. The UK Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) reported the incident, and a spokesman for the Houthi group claimed duty for the assault later Monday. 

UKMTO initially obtained a report of an incident 35 nm south of Al Mukha, Yemen, at about 2000 hours UTC on Sunday. The vessel’s grasp reported “an explosion in close proximity to the vessel resulting in damage.” The crew had been unhurt.

In a follow-on replace launched within the early hours of Monday morning (native time), UKMTO suggested that the crew had deserted ship, and that unnamed navy responders had been on scene aiding. 

The goal vessel has been recognized because the bulker Rubymar, a British-owned, Lebanese-operated bulker flagged in Belize. Houthi rebels fired two missiles on the ship over the course of an hour, and one missile discovered its goal. The operator instructed Bloomberg that the bulker had been hit within the engine room, and that it’s now resting at anchor. The crew was rescued by a superb samaritan vessel and brought to the close by port of Djibouti. 

In an announcement, the Djibouti Port Authority mentioned that Rubymar was carrying an explosive cargo of twenty-two,000 tonnes of fertilizer. The actual composition was not described, however the company mentioned that it was an IMDG 5.1 cargo. Ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers have precipitated critical accidents earlier than, particularly when carried or saved in massive portions, and are classed as IMDG 5.1. 

Today, the Djibouti Port Authority efficiently coordinated the secure repatriation of crew members from the Rubymar vessel, the Belize flag, final port Khor Fakkan (U.A. E) and destinated to Belarus. On Feb 18th , the Rubymar was attacked within the southern Red Sea at 10:45 pm,… pic.twitter.com/qMQlrNzxKx

— Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority (@dpfza) February 19, 2024

The authority mentioned that it had transported the Rubymar’s crewmembers to shore with its personal harbor tug and was making preparations for his or her secure repatriation. The 24-member crew included 11 Syrians, six Egyptians, 4 Philippine nationals and three Indians.

Since the start of Israel’s operation in opposition to terrorist group Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis have launched dozens of missile and drone assaults on service provider transport within the Red Sea. They have additionally captured and held an Israeli-linked automobile provider, the Galaxy Leader, and are nonetheless holding the vessel’s crew. 

So far, no seafarers have been reported injured by Houthi strikes, thanks partly to an American-led maritime safety marketing campaign within the Red Sea. U.S. Navy destroyers and carrier-based fighters have shot down numerous inbound Houthi munitions, stopping them from reaching their meant targets, and have destroyed dozens extra on the bottom. There have additionally been no additional hijackings for the reason that elevated U.S. Navy presence started.