In a series of attacks over the past few days, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for missile assaults in the Red Sea, targeting various vessels. On Friday, a ballistic missile fired from rebel-held territory struck a cargo ship, the Liberian-flagged MSC Palatium III, near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The attack set the vessel ablaze, but it remains unclear if there were any casualties. The private intelligence firm Ambrey confirmed the attack, stating that the projectile hit the port side of the ship, causing a fire on deck and knocking one container overboard. The Houthi rebels did not immediately acknowledge the attack on another cargo ship, Al Jasrah, earlier on Friday.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors shipping lanes in the Middle East, also acknowledged the attack, warning other vessels to exercise caution. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the missile or subsequent fire. Al Jasrah is operated by the German-based shipper Hapag-Lloyd, which confirmed that no crew members were harmed in the attack. The company stated that it would take additional measures to ensure crew safety, without providing further details.

These attacks come as the Houthi rebels in Yemen continue to claim responsibility for a series of missile assaults in recent days in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. While the attacks have not all been linked to Israel or Israeli ownership, Hapag-Lloyd is known to have offices in Israeli ports. The Houthi rebels have increasingly targeted global shipping lanes as the Israel-Hamas conflict escalates and violence in Gaza continues to affect Palestinian civilians.

On Thursday, the Houthis fired a ballistic missile that narrowly missed a container ship traveling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The day before, two missiles fired by the rebels at a commercial tanker loaded near the strait also missed their target. Additionally, on Monday night, a missile fired by the Houthis struck a Norwegian-flagged tanker in the Red Sea near the strait.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a crucial maritime chokepoint, through which nearly 10% of all oil traded at sea passes. It is only 18 miles wide at its narrowest point and sees an estimated $1 trillion in goods pass through annually, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The attacks by the Houthi rebels have raised concerns about the safety of shipping in the region. The U.S. defense official stated that the missile fired on Thursday missed the Maersk Gibraltar, a Hong Kong-flagged container ship, and splashed harmlessly into the water. The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations had issued an alert earlier regarding an incident in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Later, a Houthi spokesperson claimed that the rebels had hit the Maersk Gibraltar with a drone strike after the crew allegedly failed to respond to their call to surrender. However, there are no details about the extent of the damage inflicted on the vessel.

The attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have intensified as the Israel-Hamas conflict threatens to escalate into a wider regional conflict. The Houthi rebels have targeted vessels, launched drones, and fired missiles at Israel. Despite a tentative cease-fire between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition, the risk of more sea attacks remains high. The situation is particularly concerning as any wider conflict in the region or potential reprisal strikes from Western forces could reignite tensions in Yemen, which has been embroiled in a long and devastating war.