Yemen’s Houthis Targets MV Groton in the Gulf of Aden by Ballistic Missiles

A suspected missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi militia struck a container ship traveling through the Gulf of Aden, authorities said Sunday, likely the first assault by the group since Israeli airstrikes targeted them.

The Houthis have offered no explanation for the two-week pause in their attacks on shipping through the Red Sea corridor, which have seen similar slowdowns since the assaults began in November over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The attack on Saturday happened some 225 kilometres (140 miles) southeast of Aden in a stretch of the Gulf of Aden that has seen numerous Houthi attacks previously.

A security official on the vessel said a missile struck the vessel, but “no fires, water ingress or oil leaks have been observed,” , a clearinghouse for information on attacks in the Mideast. The UKMTO did not immediately identify the vessel hit.

The private security firm Ambrey also reported the attack. Details reported by the two organizations suggested the vessel targeted was the Liberian-flagged container ship Groton, which had left Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Groton’s Greek managers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack Saturday. However, it can take them hours or even days before they acknowledge an assault.

Houthis have targeted more than 70 vessels by firing missiles and drones in their campaign that have killed four sailors. They have seized one vessel and sunk two in the time since. Other missiles and drones have been either intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or splashed down before reaching their targets.

However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the war — including some bound for Iran.