Shipping firm pauses Red Sea journeys over attacks

Image source, Getty Images

Danish shipping company Maersk has said it is pausing all journeys through the Red Sea.

The decision comes after a spate of attacks on vessels launched from a part of Yemen controlled by the Houthis - an Iran-backed rebel movement.

The group has declared their support for Hamas and say they are targeting ships travelling to Israel.

The Red Sea is one the world's most important routes for oil and fuel shipments.

"The recent attacks on commercial vessels in the area are alarming and pose a significant threat to the safety and security of seafarers," Maersk said in a statement sent to the BBC.

"Following the near-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar yesterday and yet another attack on a container vessel today, we have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journey until further notice," it added.

The Bab al-Mandab strait - also known as the Gate of Tears - is a channel 20 miles (32km) wide, and known for being perilous to navigate.

It sits between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African coast.

It is the route by which ships can reach the Suez Canal from the south - itself a major shipping lane. Avoiding it means vessels must take much longer routes, for example navigating around southern Africa.

About 17,000 ships and 10% of global trade pass through it every year. Any ship passing through Suez to or from the Indian Ocean has to come this way.

Two other cargo ships in the strait were attacked by missiles on Friday. One was hit with a drone and another by missiles, both launched from a part of Yemen controlled by the Houthis.

The Houthis - who seized power in Yemen nine years ago - did not confirm the drone strike, but said they did fire missiles at the second boat - and a third one.

Speaking before the Maersk announcement, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan - who is on a trip to the Middle East - said the Houthis were threatening freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, which is vital for oil and goods shipments.

"The United States is working with the international community, with partners from the region and from all over the world to deal with this threat," he said.

Last month, the Houthis released video footage showing armed men dropping from a helicopter and seizing a cargo ship in the southern Red Sea.

Watch: Yemen's Houthis released video footage showing armed men dropping from a helicopter and seizing a cargo ship