Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility for the assault on the MSC Darwin vessel in the Gulf of Aden and the firing of missiles towards the Israeli city of Eilat. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea announced the attack on the Israeli ship, MSC Darwin, with naval missiles and drones, accurately hitting the target.
The group has a habit of labeling MSC-operated ships as “Israeli” for reasons that remain unclear. Additionally, they launched ballistic and winged missiles towards targets in the southern Israeli city of Eilat. Sarea reiterated the group’s commitment to preventing Israeli ships or those bound for Israel from passing through the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
He also stated that further attacks on Eilat are planned. Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations received a report of an attack near Yemen’s Aden port, with the vessel and crew reported safe after a loud bang and smoke were observed. Military authorities were dispatched to provide assistance.
The Houthis have been attacking ships with Israeli connections or those bound for Israeli ports in the Red Sea since November of last year as a show of support for Palestinians involved in the conflict with Israel. Numerous ships have been damaged as a result, with the British-operated cargo ship Rubymar sinking in the Red Sea.
These Houthi assaults have led to multiple shipping companies having to change their routes to avoid the area, causing longer travel times and increased expenses. A joint coalition of U.S. and British naval forces has been conducting airstrikes on Houthi military sites in the Red Sea since January. In response, the Houthis have escalated their attacks, specifically targeting the coalition’s warships.