MIDEAST: Ambrey-Merchant Vessel Listing In Red Sea After Latest Houthi Attack

UK-based maritime security firm Ambrey has said that a merchant vessel has been targeted by three missiles as it traveled ~54NM southwest of the Yemeni city of Hodeidah in the Red Sea. Says that the vessel issued a distress call saying that hit had sustained damage to the cargo hold and that it was taking on water and listing. The significant diversion of commercial shipping away from the Red Sea over the past several months has seen successful Houthi attacks on vessels decline in frequency, but they have not stopped. On 27 May US CENTCOM confirmedattempted missile attacks on three commercial ships and two US destroyers in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea.

• The UK has deployed the HMS Duncan to the region to assist with the US-led operation to counter the Iran-backed Houthi militias operating in Yemen. The type-45 destroyer is a like-for-like replacement for the HMS Diamond that has been on deployment in the region since late-2023. 
• Amid continued Iranian backing for the Houthis, and little sign of an end to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the prospect of a halt in attacks on commercial shipping in the region in the short term at least appears slim.