The sinking of the Rubymar, which was attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, poses a risk of ecological damage to the Red Sea due to its cargo of fertilizer and previously leaked fuel. The persistent attacks by the Houthis have already disrupted maritime traffic in this crucial waterway, affecting cargo and energy shipments from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. As a result, several ships have diverted from this route.
The sinking of the Rubymar could lead to additional diversions and increased insurance costs for vessels navigating the waterway, potentially contributing to global inflation and affecting aid deliveries to the region.
The Belize-flagged Rubymar had been adrift northward since being struck by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile on February 18 in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical passage linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government, along with a regional military source, confirmed the ship’s sinking. The source spoke anonymously as no authorization was granted to discuss the incident with journalists.
Additionally, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, responsible for monitoring Middle Eastern waterways, acknowledged the sinking of the Rubymar on Saturday afternoon.
Yemen’s exiled government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, stated that the Rubymar sank late Friday due to stormy weather in the Red Sea. The vessel had been abandoned for 12 days following the attack, although efforts were underway to tow it to a safe port.
The Iran-backed Houthis, who initially falsely claimed that the ship sank almost immediately after the attack, have not yet acknowledged its sinking.
Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak, the prime minister of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, described the sinking of the ship as “an unprecedented environmental disaster.” “It’s a new tragedy for our nation and our people,” he stated on social media. “Every day, we suffer from the reckless actions of the Houthi militia, which have plunged Yemen into chaos and conflict.”
Greenpeace also expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the ship sinking.–Web Desk