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Yemen’s Huthi rebels on Monday said they launched a missile attack on a commercial oil tanker in the Red Sea, only days after confirming that their prime minister, Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi, was killed in an Israeli air strike.
The Iran-backed group announced that it targeted the Liberian-flagged vessel, Scarlet Ray, which is owned by an Israeli company. According to the Huthis, the missile was a direct hit. However, international monitoring agencies have disputed the claim.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which tracks shipping incidents in the region, said the attack did not strike the tanker. UKMTO explained that the vessel’s crew reported witnessing a splash near their ship from an unidentified projectile and also heard a loud explosion. The organisation confirmed that no one on board was injured and the tanker has continued its voyage without further incident.
Maritime security firm Ambrey also identified the tanker as Israeli-owned, adding that the Red Sea continues to face a growing threat from rebel attacks on international shipping lanes. The latest development follows earlier incidents in July when the Huthis sank two tankers in the same region, raising concerns over global oil supply routes.
The missile launch comes at a tense time, following the killing of al-Rahawi in an Israeli air raid which also claimed the lives of other officials. The Huthi leadership had vowed to retaliate, and observers say the Red Sea attack may be part of that response.
The rebels have intensified their activities beyond military confrontations. On Sunday, Huthi fighters stormed the United Nations compound in Yemen and detained at least 11 workers. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, immediately condemned the action and called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of the detained staff.
This incident adds to a worrying pattern. According to the UN’s special envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, the Huthis are already holding 23 other UN personnel, some detained as far back as 2021 and 2023. The group had earlier claimed that some of those arrested were part of “an American-Israeli spy network” allegedly operating under the guise of humanitarian organisations. The UN has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as baseless.
The Red Sea, which is one of the world’s busiest maritime routes linking Europe to Asia through the Suez Canal, has become increasingly dangerous due to repeated attacks. Analysts warn that the situation could further destabilise international trade and worsen tensions in the Middle East.
The Huthis, who control much of northern Yemen including the capital Sana’a, have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with a Saudi-led coalition and have also declared their alignment with Iran. Their hostility towards Israel has deepened since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, with the group stepping up military operations against vessels linked to Israeli interests.
Global powers including the United States, Britain, and the United Nations have expressed concern that the rebels’ actions could escalate the crisis in Yemen and spill over into regional conflict. Security experts also caution that the targeting of commercial shipping could trigger international military responses aimed at safeguarding maritime routes.
While the Huthis insist their attacks are directed at Israeli-linked vessels, several neutral commercial ships have been caught in the crossfire, raising fears among shipping companies and insurers. With fuel and cargo supply chains already facing pressure, shipping operators are being forced to reroute vessels, a move that increases costs and delays deliveries.
For now, the crew of the Scarlet Ray remain safe, but the incident underscores the growing instability in the Red Sea and the uncertain future of international shipping in the region.
