A vessel flying the Marshall Islands flag moved through the Gulf of Aden when it was struck by a drone on Wednesday, according to the security firm Ambrey. The episode fits a pattern of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, part of the broader retaliation linked to bombings in the Gaza Strip.
The ship sustained damage to its railing, which was described as unusable, and an Indian-led coalition warship remained in contact with the bulk carrier to coordinate aid. The assault affected the ship’s port side, located roughly 66 miles southeast of Aden, near the entrance to the Gulf.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari later described the operation as precise and direct, saying multiple missiles were launched at a target they identified as the bulk carrier Genco Picardy. The vessel had recently been noted in Safaga, Egypt, after its transits through the region in recent days.
Earlier, UKMTO, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, had reported that a ship was hit by a drone and that fires on the deck had already been extinguished, adding to concerns about escalating maritime violence in the area.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, have controlled Sanaʻa and other northern and western parts of Yemen since 2015. The conflict at sea has drawn in regional powers as ships with links to Israel have faced a series of hijacks and attacks, contributing to a broader risk environment for commercial vessels in the region.