Local security conflict

The Houthis have contacted Splash to confirm that they were behind this week’s latest attack in the Red Sea, as well as detailing specific new American targets.
The Minervagracht general cargo vessel, which was attacked by the Houthis on Monday, remains adrift and on fire in the Gulf of Aden after the crew was evacuated yesterday. The Houthis, in an email sent to Splash, stated the attack happened because the owning company, Spliethoff, had serviced ports in Israel.
The Houthis also issued a sanctions list of a range of companies and individuals. This is focused on oil companies and includes, for example, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips, as well as the CEOs of many of the listed companies. Diamond S Shipping and two vessels belonging to International Seaways were also on the list.
In August, the Houthis issued formal warnings to 64 global shipowners, signalling a new phase in their campaign against Red Sea shipping.
The notices, described as “pre‑penalty” warnings, accused the targeted shipowners of violating a self-proclaimed blockade of Israeli ports, stating that these fleets are now “prohibited from transiting the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea,” and may be attacked “wherever they fall within reach”.