Yemen’s Houthi rebels attack ship carrying grain destined for Iran, their main supporter

The recent attack on the Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, Laax, by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has raised concerns about the safety of shipping in the Red Sea corridor. The vessel was carrying a cargo of grain bound for Iran, a key supporter of the Houthi rebels. The attack, which involved both drones and missiles, left significant damage to the ship, with five missiles hitting the vessel during the assault.

French naval forces based in the UAE, who patrol the Middle East, confirmed that the grain shipment onboard the Laax was intended for Iran. Despite the damage caused by the attack, no dangerous explosives were found onboard the ship after an inspection by a team from Djibouti. The vessel’s listed destination was initially Fujairah in the UAE, but it was later changed to Bandar Khomeini, Iran.

The attack on the Laax is part of a series of assaults by the Houthis on shipping in the region, as they continue to pressure Israel and the West over the war in Gaza. The rebels have targeted vessels associated with Iran, China, and Russia, disrupting vital economic lifelines. The presence of armed security guards onboard the Laax at the time of the attack highlights the growing security risks faced by ships navigating through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.