In the latest maritime news, a civilian mariner is still missing in the Red Sea following an incident where the crew of a cargo carrier was targeted by Houthi militants and had to abandon ship, reported US Central Command on Friday.
The attack on the Liberian-flagged M/V Tutor, owned and operated by Greece, occurred on Wednesday and resulted in significant damage to the ship’s engine room, causing flooding. Despite the crew being rescued by US and partner forces, including the USS Philippine Sea, the vessel is currently adrift in the Red Sea and taking on water, according to CENTCOM and UK Maritime Trade Operations.
Furthermore, another cargo ship, the M/V Verbena, was targeted by Iran-backed Houthi militants in two missile attacks in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday. The attacks caused severe injuries to a civilian mariner and resulted in fires on board. The wounded mariner was evacuated by aircraft from a nearby US warship for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the crew of the Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated cargo ship successfully extinguished the fires caused by the militant attacks and continued their journey, as confirmed by the US.
CENTCOM expressed concern over the ongoing threats posed by the Houthis, stating, “This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.” The statement also emphasized the impact of these attacks on international commerce and the delivery of aid to conflict-affected regions like Yemen and Gaza.
Notably, the Houthis have been carrying out numerous missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since October, with one attack in March resulting in the death of three crew members on the M/V True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier.
Despite efforts by the US and UK to target the Houthis in Yemen and degrade their weapons supplies through airstrikes, the militant group continues to launch attacks without signs of stopping. CENTCOM reiterated their commitment to working with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and diminish their military capabilities.
