Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a deadly strike on a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea, killing three crew members and injuring two others, the European Union Naval Force confirmed on July 8. The incident marks a deadly escalation in the Houthis' renewed campaign against commercial shipping in one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.
The Greek-owned vessel was reportedly hit by drone and small boat attacks late night on July 7 while sailing north toward the Suez Canal. Armed security personnel on board returned fire during the assault. The attack comes just days after the Houthis targeted another bulk carrier, which they claimed later sank.
Although the Houthis have not formally claimed responsibility, the US State Department, the EU Naval Force, and Yemen’s internationally recognized government have all blamed the Iran-backed group for the assault.
On May 6, President Donald Trump declared an immediate end to US airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels, citing a ceasefire agreement brokered by Oman. Trump stated that the Houthis expressed a desire to cease hostilities, leading to the cessation of the US bombing campaign. The ceasefire aims to de-escalate tensions in the region, particularly concerning Red Sea shipping lanes—a crisis that intensified after US and UK forces launched strikes on Houthi positions on January 11, 2024. Those attacks, a response to Houthi assaults on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, significantly disrupted maritime traffic and sparked vows of retaliation from the rebels. But who exactly are the Houthis, and why were they targeted?
Click through and find out more about the emergence of the Houthi movement.