Ship Evacuated and Ablaze After Attack by Iran-Backed Houthis

Armed men stand on the beach as the Galaxy Leader commercial ship, seized by Yemen's Houthis, is anchored off the coast of al-Salif, Yemen, December 5, 2023.
Armed men stand on the beach as the Galaxy Leader commercial ship, seized by Yemen's Houthis, is anchored off the coast of al-Salif, Yemen, December 5, 2023.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday the crew of a Palau-flagged cargo ship had been evacuated and the ship was on fire and sinking, referring to an incident that happened 98 nautical miles east of Yemen's Aden on June 13.

Missiles fired by Yemen's Houthi militants struck the Verbena in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, sparking a fire and severely injuring one of its crew, U.S. Central Command said.

The Iran-allied Houthis have launched dozens of attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea region since November for what they say is solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.

The attacks began after Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged Muslim nations to blockade Israel's trade routes. The United States and Britain have launched air strikes against Houthi military targets since January, but the militant group receiving arms and support from Iran has continued its campaign.

The Houthi campaign in the Red Sea region has disrupted global shipping, cascading delays and costs through supply chains. The militants have sunk one ship, seized another vessel and killed three seafarers in separate attacks.