British ship carrying thousands of tons of fertilizer sinks after Houthi attack

A written statement regarding the current status of the ship was issued by the "Crisis Cell for Dealing with the Rubymar Ship," established by the Yemeni government.

The statement declared, "We announce that the ship (Rubymar) sank on Friday evening as a result of weather conditions and strong winds at sea."

Expressing the Yemeni government's regret over the sinking of the ship, which threatened to cause an environmental disaster in its territorial waters and the Red Sea, the statement emphasized that "this outcome was expected, given that the ship was left to its fate for more than 12 days and that the Yemeni government's calls to prevent the disaster went unanswered."

STRUCK ON FEBRUARY 18

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) had announced on February 18 that the Houthis had struck the UK-owned ship Rubymar, which was carrying 41,000 tons of fertilizer, and that the vessel had begun taking on water.

The SABA news agency had also warned of a major environmental disaster, noting that the struck ship was carrying large quantities of ammonia and oil.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated on February 19 that the targeted British ship had sustained serious damage, was at risk of sinking, and that the crew had been safely evacuated.

Defending the attack as being carried out in support of the Palestinian people, Saree noted that attacks on Israeli ships and vessels heading to ports in occupied Palestine would continue until the attacks on the Palestinian people are halted and the blockade is lifted.

In a statement made by the Yemeni government on February 24, it was reported that the ship struck by the Houthis was drifting toward Yemen's Hanish Islands in the Red Sea.

The statement, which noted that the ship's crew had been rescued, pointed to the danger of a major environmental disaster in the Red Sea.

Since October 31, 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have been seizing commercial vessels they claim are linked to Israeli companies, and have been launching drone and missile attacks on others, citing their reaction to Israel's attacks on Gaza.

News Source: AA