First Vessel Destroyed in Campaign Over Israel’s War Against Hamas
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A cargo ship, Rubymar, has succumbed to its fate in the Red Sea after being targeted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The vessel, attacked on Feb. 18 in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, finally sank, becoming the first casualty in the ongoing conflict sparked by Israel’s actions against Hamas in Gaza.
Officials from Yemen’s internationally recognized government, along with a regional military source, confirmed the ship’s demise, marking a significant development in the escalating tensions in the region. The Rubymar, registered in Belize and operated by a Lebanese company, was carrying combustible fertilizer when it was hit by a missile strike on February 25.
The ship had been adrift for days after the attack, with efforts to salvage it proving futile amidst stormy weather conditions. Despite initial plans to tow the vessel to safety, the Rubymar ultimately succumbed to the forces of nature, meeting its watery end in the Red Sea on Friday.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who had earlier claimed the ship sank immediately post-attack, are yet to acknowledge the sinking of the Rubymar. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile situation in the region, with maritime vessels now becoming direct targets in the unfolding conflict.