Yemen’s Houthi rebels attack, sink ship in Red Sea

After taking on water for many days, a ship targeted by the Houthi rebels based in Yemen on Saturday sank in the Red Sea, according to officials. This is the first vessel to be completely destroyed as part of their campaign against Israel’s battle against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

After being attacked on February 18 in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an important waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the Rubymar had been drifting north.

The ship’s sinking was confirmed by the internationally recognized government of Yemen and a military official, who spoke under the condistion of anonymity, in the area.

The alliance led by Saudi Arabia has supported Yemen’s exiled government since 2015. According to the administration, the Rubymar sank late on Friday as bad weather moved into the Red Sea. Despite intentions to attempt to pull the ship to a safe port, the vessel had been abandoned for twelve days following the attack.

The ship’s sinking was not immediately acknowledged by the Houthis, who were backed by Iran and had claimed the vessel sank practically immediately after the strike.