Houthi Attacks on Shipping in Red Sea Escalate, Raising Environmental and Security Concerns

Recent missile strikes by Houthi rebels on commercial vessels, including the British-owned Rubymar, have heightened fears of a marine environmental disaster and disrupted global trade routes.

A missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi militants on February 18 damaged the British-owned cargo ship Rubymar in the Red Sea, causing the crew to evacuate and sparking fears of an environmental disaster due to an oil slick and potential fertilizer spill.
The Houthi rebels have targeted over 50 commercial and military ships since November, in solidarity with Hamas, disrupting trade routes and prompting U.S. and British airstrikes in response.
The Rubymar, carrying 41,000 tons of fertilizer, remains abandoned and at risk of sinking, with nearby ports refusing it entry, exacerbating pollution concerns.
Houthi leaders deny targeting critical underwater sea telecommunication cables, amid warnings of a marine environmental disaster if the situation is not addressed.
The U.S. and U.K. have engaged in military actions against Houthi positions, but attacks on shipping continue, raising concerns over the environmental impact and global maritime transit.