Tension is rising in the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks on shipping. Recently, a Belizean-flagged bulk carrier, the Rubymar, was targeted.
The vessel was 35 nautical miles off Al Mukha, Yemen, when it was attacked by Yemeni rebels at around 20.00 UTC last Sunday.
The ship’s captain reported an explosion in the immediate vicinity of the ship which provoked damages. Although unharmed, the crew decided to abandon ship, with the help of military rescuers, who were on site to provide assistance.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said that due to the extensive damage, the ship now risked sinking in the Gulf of Aden, stressing that they had made sure the crew could safely leave the vessel.
Since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas over fifty ships have been attacked in the Red Sea.
Translation by Giles Foster
