Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting the MSC Orion container ship in the Indian Ocean, citing their ongoing campaign against international shipping in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The MSC Orion, flying the Portugal flag, was voyaging between ports in Sines, Portugal, and Salalah, Oman, with Zodiac Maritime listed as its registered owner, according to data from the LSEG.
Zodiac Maritime, partially owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Houthi militants, aligned with Iran, have carried out numerous drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden since November. These attacks have compelled shipping companies to reroute cargo through longer and costlier journeys around Southern Africa. There are growing concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could escalate and destabilize the Middle East.
In March, the group’s leader announced an expansion of their target area to prevent ships linked to Israel from passing through the Indian Ocean toward the Cape of Good Hope.
Furthermore, the Houthi spokesman stated that the Cyclades commercial vessel, along with two U.S. destroyers, was also targeted in the Red Sea.
Earlier, British maritime security firm Ambrey reported that a Malta-flagged container ship was targeted by three missiles while traveling from Djibouti to the Saudi city of Jeddah. The Houthis confirmed targeting the Cyclades on that route.
Ambrey suggested that the ship was targeted due to the operator’s trade relations with Israel, as indicated in an advisory note.
In response to the attacks on vessels, the United States and Britain have conducted strikes against Houthi targets.