May 18, 2024: A Greek-owned oil tanker named Wind was hit by a ballistic missile from Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea on May 18, 2024. The incident occurred around 1 a.m., causing flooding which resulted in loss of propulsion and steering but no casualties were reported.
The Wind, which had recently docked in Russia and was bound for China, is the latest vessel to be targeted by the Houthis as part of their ongoing campaign against shipping in the Red Sea. The attack comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with both sides accusing each other of violence.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for shooting down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen on May 17, 2024. This is not the first time the group has targeted commercial vessels in the region. In November 2023, they seized a vessel and sank another.
The Red Sea is an important shipping lane for global trade, with many countries relying on it for energy supplies and other essential goods. The disruption caused by Houthi attacks has resulted in longer and more expensive routes being taken by ships to avoid the area.
Despite the Houthis' claims that their attacks are a response to Israeli actions in Gaza, US officials have pointed out that many of the vessels targeted have no connection to Israel. The US military regularly conducts self-defense strikes against Houthi missiles and drones when it sees them preparing for an attack.
The Houthis' ties with Iran, their main benefactor, have been a source of concern for the international community. Both China and Russia maintain ties with Iran over military equipment and oil, making them potential stakeholders in the conflict.
The US Central Command has urged all mariners to exercise caution when transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden due to ongoing threats from Houthi militants.