Red Sea: Houthi attacks cause seafarer fatality for the first time

In a clear escalation of tension in the Red Sea, the latest drone attack launched by Iran-backed Houthi insurgents claimed the lives of three seafarers, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).  

PHOTO: Image of M/V True Confidence after it came under attack. US CENTCOM

The Yemeni insurgents launched one ballistic anti-ship missile at a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier, M/V True Confidence, while transiting the Gulf of Aden, CENTCOM said.

The vessel’s crew reported three casualties, at least four injuries, and significant damage to the ship, CENTCOM said. “The crew abandoned the ship and coalition warships responded and are assessing the situation,” it added.

The Iran-aligned militia’s spokesperson Yahya Sare’e claimed the attacks on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “The strike was accurate, led to a fire breaking out on it,” Sare’e said.

The vessel was attacked 54 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Aden Port, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for a collective global action to fortify the safety of seafarers. “I once again call for collective action to fortify the safety of those who serve at sea. International trade depends on international shipping and international shipping cannot go on without seafarers,” its secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez said.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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