Fatshimetrie — A tragedy in the Red Sea: the sinking of the Greek-owned coal-carrying ship MV Tutor, which appeared to have capsized following attacks by Houthi rebels, raises questions about maritime security and regional tensions.
According to a report published by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the MV Tutor is believed to be the second ship sunk by the Houthis since March, when the British ship Rubymar was shot down after being hit by ballistic missiles fired from the territory. controlled by the Houthis in Yemen.
Since the beginning of March, rebels have launched dozens of missile and drone attacks targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, heightening tensions in the region following Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Israel in response to the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas.
This escalation of violence has led to a major humanitarian crisis, decried by many regional actors, a consequence of eight months of Israeli bombings on Gaza. Israel launched its military campaign after Hamas militants, in power in Gaza, killed at least 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 250 others.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israeli attacks left 37,396 dead and 85,523 injured among the Palestinian population.
The MV Tutor was hit for the first time on June 12 by a small boat, before being hit a second time by “an unknown aerial projectile”, according to the UKMTO. A crew member is missing after the attack, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said last week.
After all crew had been evacuated, the ship began to drift before sinking, according to the UKMTO.
A Houthi spokesperson claimed that the ship was attacked by a maritime drone, ballistic missiles and other drones, for crossing the so-called “interdict of occupied Palestinian ports”.
Houthi media outlet Al Masirah acknowledged foreign media reports regarding the sinking.
While CENTCOM stated that “The Houthis claim to act on behalf of the Palestinians in Gaza and yet they target and threaten the lives of third country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza. The ongoing threat posed by the Houthis to international trade further complicates the delivery of much-needed aid to the populations of Yemen and Gaza. »
Earlier this month, CENTCOM launched attacks on Houthi radars that facilitated the group’s continued assaults on shipping in the Red Sea, US Central Command said.
This sinking of the MV Tutor raises questions about the security of sea lanes and the need to find solutions to protect ships and their crews from such attacks. It highlights the challenges of regional conflicts which have tragic repercussions on the lives of many innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of armed factions. He recalls the urgency of working towards a peaceful settlement of disputes to avoid new tragedies in the Red Sea and other areas of tension around the globe.