A commercial vessel caught fire off Yemen after being hit by a projectile, as British authorities suspect renewed Houthi aggression in the Gulf of Aden.
Gulf of Aden — A cargo vessel was engulfed in flames on Saturday after being struck by an unknown projectile roughly 210 kilometers east of Aden, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed, raising fears of a renewed Houthi escalation in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes.
“A vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire. Authorities are investigating,” the UKMTO said in a statement. Radio transmissions indicated the crew was preparing to abandon ship, prompting international search-and-rescue operations to be launched.
The British maritime agency did not specify the vessel’s flag or cargo, but said nearby merchant ships had been warned to maintain maximum distance and report any suspicious activity.
Possible Houthi Involvement
While no group has yet claimed responsibility, suspicion immediately turned to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia, which has a long history of targeting ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis have carried out dozens of strikes on international vessels since 2023, often using missiles and explosive drones. The group says it targets ships linked to Israel or its allies in what it calls a campaign to pressure Jerusalem and “support Gaza.”
“This attack bears the hallmarks of prior Houthi operations — a projectile strike, fire outbreak, and subsequent silence,” a Western security analyst told Israel National News. “Even if they don’t claim it, the message is clear: the Houthis are back.”
Since the Israel–Hamas ceasefire on October 10, Houthi attacks had largely subsided, with the group claiming no maritime assaults for over a month — until Saturday’s strike reignited concerns that Yemen’s rebels are resuming hostilities.
Deadly Pattern of Maritime Escalation
According to Associated Press, Houthi attacks have killed at least nine mariners and sunk four commercial ships over the past year. The most recent confirmed assault occurred on September 29, when the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht was hit, killing one crew member and wounding another.
Maritime trade experts warn that renewed Houthi aggression could disrupt global shipping routes that carry energy supplies, food, and raw materials between Europe and Asia.
The Gulf of Aden, which connects to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, remains a strategic chokepoint for international commerce — and a vulnerable target zone for militant attacks.
Regional and Global Implications
The attack threatens to undermine fragile security gains in the region since U.S.-led naval patrols reduced incidents earlier this year.
Washington and London have both vowed to maintain freedom of navigation, with the U.S. Fifth Fleet recently confirming its readiness to intercept missile launches from Yemen if necessary.
“Every strike in this corridor is a direct challenge to international law and maritime stability,” an Israeli defense official said, warning that Iran’s regional proxies may be testing global resolve following the Gaza ceasefire.
Ongoing Investigation
As of Saturday evening, no casualties were reported, but the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Rescue operations were continuing, and naval authorities were investigating whether the projectile originated from Yemeni territory under Houthi control.
Analysts warn the strike could mark the end of the brief calm in the Red Sea corridor — and a renewed threat to global shipping in the aftermath of the Gaza war.
