A merchant vessel reportedly dodged an attack off the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, an area typically secure for maritime traffic. This incident occurred shortly after an Israeli airstrike targeted Houthi leaders, raising concerns about regional security.
On Sunday, the captain of an unnamed ship notified UKMTO about a splash near the vessel, followed by a loud bang. Fortunately, the crew was unharmed, and no damage was reported. The ship continued its journey while investigations commenced, with UKMTO urging other vessels to report any suspicious activity.
A Houthi spokesman later claimed the tanker Scarlet Ray was struck by a ballistic missile, contradicting the ship’s account. AIS data indicated that the Scarlet Ray had been loitering near Yanbu, with its GPS signal disrupted prior to the incident. The area is over 600 nautical miles from the highest-risk zones near Houthi-controlled Yemen, and disturbances there are rare.
Analysts suggest the recent Israeli strikes on Houthi leadership may provoke the group into more aggressive actions, potentially targeting shipping. After sinking the Greek bulker Eternity C, Houthi focus had shifted to Israeli territory, but the new developments could alter their strategy.
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