Houthis Attack U.S.-Flagged Container Ship in Arabian Sea

Houthi Militants Fire on Maersk Sentosa Amid Rising Maritime Tensions

Yemen-based Houthi militants fired on the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Sentosa while it was navigating the Arabian Sea. The ship’s captain reported an explosion near the vessel off the coast of Nishtun, Yemen. The Houthis claimed responsibility, extending their series of attacks to two other vessels in the Gulf of Aden. The Maersk Sentosa and its crew emerged unscathed.

Since last November, the Houthis have launched drone and missile attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. These actions have disrupted a critical shipping corridor, prompting companies to reroute ships around Africa, adding time and cost to their journeys.

In response, U.S. and British forces have targeted Houthi positions in Yemen with airstrikes. On May 30, a series of these strikes resulted in 16 deaths and dozens of injuries, according to the Houthis.

Compounding the tension, over two dozen international aid workers, including several UN employees, have been detained by Houthi rebels since mid-June. This includes 18 workers apprehended during raids on July 4, highlighting the escalating humanitarian and geopolitical crisis in the region.