To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which UK flagged vessels have been attacked by the Houthis since 7 October 2023.
Answered on
22 January 2024
Since 19 November, the Houthis have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Contrary to their claims, the Houthis have been targeting shipping with no connection to Israel, including British-flagged vessels.
As of 17 January, the Joint Maritime Security Centre report that there have been 36 Houthi related incidents (Drone/Missile attack or near miss, Seizure, UAS Harassment, Suspicious Approach) in the Red Sea affecting 11 separate flag states. Vessels with British links were GALAXY LEADER; UNITY EXPLORER; AL MARROUNA; NUMBER 9; ARDMORE EXPLORER; NAVIG8 MONTIEL; GREEN TRADER; CMA CGM TAGE and one Red Ensign Group (REG-flagged vessel): SWAN ATLANTIC.
HMS Diamond was first targeted by a Houthi attack on 9 January.
We continue to work with our allies and partners to safeguard maritime security and navigation rights and freedoms in the Red Sea.