LONDON, United Kingdom (AP) – In a recent escalation of hostilities, the Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting the Belize-flagged, British-registered cargo ship Rubymar, forcing the crew to abandon ship off the coast of Yemen. The vessel was hit by missiles fired by the Iran-backed Houthi movement in the Gulf of Aden near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. While the Houthis stated that the ship had sunk, there was no independent confirmation of this.

The attack on the Rubymar marks one of the most damaging incidents so far by the Houthis, who have been launching numerous missiles and drones at merchant vessels and Western warships since mid-November. The Houthis have claimed that these attacks are in support of the Palestinian cause amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In response to the recent attacks, the UK government condemned the actions of the Houthis as “completely unacceptable” and, along with its allies, reserved the right to respond appropriately. Additionally, the Houthi movement’s spokesperson stated that they had also attacked two US-owned cargo vessels in the Gulf of Aden and had shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle in the Red Sea province of Hudaydah.

As a result of the escalating attacks, many shipping companies have stopped using the critical waterway in the region, which accounts for approximately 12% of global seaborne trade. Furthermore, US and British forces have begun carrying out air strikes on military targets across Houthi-controlled western Yemen as a response to the attacks.

The Rubymar, which was transporting “very dangerous” fertilizer at the time of the attack, had been reported to sustain damage after being hit by two missiles. The 172m-long Rubymar, flagged in Belize and operated by a company from Lebanon, was en route from Saudi Arabia to Bulgaria.

In light of the ongoing attacks, EU foreign ministers have approved a mission to help protect international shipping in the Red Sea, with plans to involve ships from France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium in the operation.

This recent escalation in hostilities poses a significant threat to maritime security in the region and has raised concerns about the safety of vessels and crews navigating through the area. As tensions continue to rise, the international community faces the challenge of ensuring the safety and security of maritime trade in the region.