In a recent attack, Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted an oil tanker in the Red Sea with a ballistic missile, causing damage to the vessel. This assault is believed to be linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. While the rebels have not claimed responsibility for the attack, they recently asserted shooting down a U.S. military MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen, alongside launching other disruptive attacks on shipping routes.

The oil tanker, named Wind, was hit around 1 a.m., shortly after docking in Russia and heading towards China. The Central Command of the U.S. military confirmed that the missile strike resulted in flooding, which caused a loss of propulsion and steering. However, the crew of the Wind managed to restore these functions, and no casualties were reported. The vessel resumed its course under its own power.

Both the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center and private security firm Ambrey acknowledged the attack, with the latter reporting a fire on board the Wind. It is common for the Houthi rebels to delay claiming responsibility for their attacks, which often target shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Their demands include the end of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, where the conflict has claimed over 35,000 Palestinian lives.

The Houthis have a history of launching attacks on ships, with more than 50 such incidents occurring since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. One vessel has been seized by the rebels, and another was sunk. However, the frequency of these attacks has decreased recently due to the intensified U.S.-led airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Despite this, shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden remains limited due to ongoing threats.

In a separate incident, the Houthi rebels claimed to have shot down a U.S. military MQ-9 Reaper drone on Thursday using a surface-to-air missile. The rebels referred to the drone as engaging in hostile actions in Yemen's Marib province, which is controlled by allies of the exiled Yemeni government recognized internationally. Over the years, the rebels have managed to bring down at least five U.S. drones since their capture of Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, in 2014.

The Houthi rebels' attacks on ships and drones continue to pose a major challenge to maritime trade in the region. Efforts to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict and stabilize the situation in Yemen remain ongoing as international actors work towards finding a peaceful resolution.