On Sunday, an aerial drone launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Transworld Navigator in the Red Sea. The incident occurred near the rebel-controlled port city of Hodeidah around dawn, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. The vessel sustained damage, but the mariners on board were reported safe. An investigation is currently underway.
The Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, although he suggested the use of a drone boat, contrary to other reports. The US Central Command confirmed that several mariners on the vessel suffered minor injuries.
This marks the fourth attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis on the Transworld Navigator. The drone strike is part of a broader Houthi campaign targeting shipping in the region, which has intensified amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Since November, Houthis have launched over 60 attacks, resulting in the sinking of two vessels and the death of four sailors.
In response to these attacks, the US has conducted a series of airstrikes against Houthi targets. The US military notably adjusted its operational deployment, sending the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower back home after an eight-month deployment, while the USS Theodore Roosevelt, based in San Diego, will take its place following an exercise in the Indo-Pacific.
The incident raises ongoing concerns about maritime security and the stability of vital shipping routes.