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Incident Alert – Bulk Carrier Struck by Missiles in the Bab el Mandeb Strait |
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| Date: 18 February 2024 2000 UTC | Position: 12° 46’ N 43° 17’’ E |
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Location: Bab el Mandeb Strait.35nm South of Mocha, Yemen |
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Incident Details
The UKMTO released Warning 0032 and subsequent updates regarding an incident 35nm South of Mocha, Yemen. The alert stated that the crew of a cargo vessel had abandoned ship and the vessel was at anchor. There are no reports of any casualties.
Comment
Later reports identified the vessel involved as the Belize-flagged bulk carrier RUBYMAR. The reports state the vessel was hit by what is believed to be, an anti-ship missile which caused extensive damage and caused the crew to abandon ship. The vessel is currently at anchor and the crew is safe. The ship is believed to be registered in the United Kingdom but operated by a Lebanese company, it was en route to Bulgaria after leaving Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates on 10 February.
Assessment
This is the first time a Houthi missile has caused sufficient damage to a vessel to cause it to stop. A Houthi spokesman said the ship was targeted due to its links to the UK. This attack comes after the US military Central Command stated they had carried out strikes against Houthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, an explosive-carrying drone boat and an “Unmanned Underwater Vessel (UUV).
