Watan-A circulated video clip documented what a Houthi missile did to the British ship “Ruby Mar” in the Red Sea, causing it to collapse and become threatened with sinking.
This came after a missile attack by the Houthi group on the mentioned ship on February 18th, making it at risk of sinking within 48 hours.
Aerial images showed the British ship with its rear part submerged in the sea, and the name “Ruby Mar” was seen on its right side in Latin letters.
The maritime security agencies “Ambrey” and “Ukai MTI” stated that the ship was carrying about 41,000 tons of fertilizers when it came under attack, resulting in an oil slick stretching 18 miles long, and its sinking could worsen the environmental disaster.
According to a Yemeni government team that inspected the ship, it began to sink indeed after large amounts of water leaked into it, and oils began to surface. The team called for joint governmental and international efforts for urgent rescue of the ship.
صور جوية للسفينة البريطانية “روبي مار” المهددة بالغرق في مياه البحر الأحمر بعد إصابتها بصاروخ من جماعة الحــوثـ ـي قبل أيام.#الجزيرة_مباشر | #اليمن pic.twitter.com/Cx7objt8Mw
— الجزيرة مباشر (@ajmubasher) February 27, 2024
The British ship is slowly sinking.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) noted that a ship registered in Britain was attacked in the Red Sea, sustaining damage but not sinking.
The Yemeni Houthi group stated in a statement on Monday that its fighters sank the “Ruby Mar” ship. This incident could be the most significant since the beginning of attacks on foreign ships by the group in November.
Ships in the Red Sea have been subjected to regular attacks in recent months.
BBC analysis shows that the attacks have continued despite US and UK strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.
The ship’s operator, Blue Fleet Group, stated that a missile struck the ship’s side near the engine room and it was on the verge of tilting. Another missile hit the ship’s surface. The crew left the ship and were transported to nearby Djibouti. That evening, a Houthi spokesperson claimed that the ship had sunk.
The Houthis claim that their attacks aim to show support for Palestinians against Israeli aggression in Gaza.
The attacks have prompted many shipping companies to stop using the vital waterway in the Red Sea, which represents about 12% of global maritime trade.