First Ship Sunk by Houthi Rebels in Red Sea During Israel-Hamas War

A U.K.-owned cargo ship, the MV Rubymar, has sunk in the Red Sea, becoming the first vessel to be lost during the Israel-Hamas war. The ship, which was struck by Iran-backed Houthi rebels nearly two weeks ago, was attacked by two anti-ship missiles on Feb. 18. The attack caused severe damage and resulted in the ship slowly taking on water as its cargo, including fertilizer and fuel, spilled into the sea.

Environmental Impact

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) described the sinking of the MV Rubymar as an "environmental disaster." They reported that two nearby ships successfully evacuated all 24 crew members, but the Rubymar was left dead in the water.

Incredible aerial footage captured the partially submerged vessel near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with an oil slick stretching at least 18 miles visible. Plans to tow the ship to safety were unsuccessful, and the vessel eventually sank.

Confirmation of the Sinking

The British military’s maritime trade operations center confirmed the sinking of the Rubymar on Saturday afternoon. The vessel is owned by Golden Adventure Shipping SA of Southampton, U.K. Satellite images revealed the vessel's stern sinking into the Red Sea but still afloat before it finally sank.

Unexplained Incident and International Response

On Friday, a private security firm reported a mysterious incident involving the Rubymar, where a number of Yemenis were reportedly harmed. However, no party involved in Yemen’s yearslong war claimed any new attack on the vessel. The sinking of the Rubymar comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with U.S. and British forces conducting strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

Impact on Shipping

The sinking of the MV Rubymar has led to a significant impact on freight going through the Suez Canal. Iran-backed Houthi militants' attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, in support of Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war, have resulted in a decrease in traffic through the critical shipping lane. This has raised concerns about the safety and security of vessels traveling in the region.