Yemen’s Houthi rebels have taken responsibility for a missile and small watercraft attack that struck a Greek-owned cargo ship, causing it to take on water near the Red Sea port of Hodeidah.

Wednesday’s attack did not result in any casualties. The connection of the ship’s ownership to Israel remains uncertain.

The Iran-allied group, embroiled in conflict with a Saudi Arabia-led coalition, controls Yemen’s capital Sanaa and significant populated regions. Since November, in response to Palestinian suffering under Israeli action in Gaza, the Houthis have been conducting numerous drone and missile assaults on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Their attacks have resulted in one ship sinking, another being seized, and the deaths of three sailors.

The Houthis reported that the Tutor coal carrier sustained severe damage and was at risk of sinking after being hit by an unmanned surface craft, drones, and ballistic missiles.

According to maritime security firm Ambrey, the attack occurred about 68 nautical miles (126km) southwest of Hodeidah on Wednesday.

"The attack with the unmanned surface vessel caused extensive flooding and engine room damage," stated the US Central Command (CENTCOM). This event marked the first instance of the Houthis using a boat as a weapon.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which coordinates between ship operators and security forces, said the Liberian-flagged Tutor was taking on water and out of the crew's control following engine room damage.

Disrupting Global Shipping

UKMTO noted that a white-hulled small craft hit the cargo ship’s stern and an “unknown airborne projectile” also hit the ship.

"The ship was hit twice, both from the air and from a small boat," stated a Greek official anonymously. The ship was headed to India when attacked.

The Tutor loaded at Ust-Luga, Russia, on May 18, discharged at Port Said, Egypt, on June 9, and was next en route to Aqaba, Jordan, as reported by the London Stock Exchange Group data.

The Houthi offensives have disrupted global commerce by necessitating the rerouting of ships away from the critical Suez Canal, eliciting retaliatory strikes from the US and the UK since February.

On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed to conduct two joint military operations with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed group, targeting Ashdod and Haifa in Israel. The latter verifying the assaults.

The ongoing Houthi attacks persist while US, Egyptian, and Qatari negotiators are attempting to broker a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, which started after Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 left over 1,200 dead and around 250 hostages.

In retaliation, Israel launched combined air, ground, and sea assaults on Gaza, leading to over 37,000 Palestinian casualties, per Gaza health officials.