In response to recent attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, Danish shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk has announced a temporary pause in its container shipments through the Red Sea. The move comes after several of the company's vessels faced missile attacks, raising concerns over the safety of their operations.

A statement released by Maersk to Reuters explained the decision, stating, "Following the near-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar yesterday and yet another attack on a container vessel today, we have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journey until further notice."

The missile attacks targeted two vessels, the MSC Palatium III and the Al Jasrah. These attacks are seen as part of an escalating maritime campaign by Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran. The group claims that their actions are aimed at ending Israeli airstrikes and ground offensives on the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

A spokesperson for the Houthis, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for the attack and vowed to continue preventing ships from heading to Israeli ports in the Red Sea until necessary supplies are delivered to Gaza. The Al Jasrah, operated by German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, will also pause all traffic in the corridor until Monday.

According to Ambrey, a global maritime risk management service in England, a projectile hit the side of the Al Jasrah, causing a container to fall overboard, which in turn sparked a "fire on deck." Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. The Liberian-flagged MSC Palatium III, which also came under attack, caught fire and is currently en route to head south.

While the incidents did not directly involve U.S. forces, the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the attacks and expressed their concern over the situation, stating, "These attacks continue to threaten international maritime security." Centcom assured that they are closely monitoring the situation.

In an online post, Maersk highlighted the gravity of these attacks on commercial vessels, describing them as "alarming" and posing a significant threat to the safety and lives of seafarers.

The decision by A.P. Moller-Maersk to halt container shipments through the Red Sea reflects the escalating tensions in the region. As the situation develops, the safety of seafarers and the need for international maritime security remain paramount concerns.