On 18 February, the Belize-flagged cargo ship Шаблон:MV was attacked by the Iranian-backed Houthi movement in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The Rubymar was struck by a missile, which caused catastrophic damage to the vessel and it was forced to come to a complete stop. Both Houthi and the United States confirmed the ship began sinking, which caused a Шаблон:Convertoil spill. The Rubymar is also carrying a cargo of 41,000 tons of fertilizer, which is also at risk of spilling.[1][2][3][4]
This incident has raised alarms over the potential spillage of both oil and fertilizer into the Red Sea, posing a threat to marine life, coastal communities, and the region's fishing industry. The United States Central Command has highlighted the reckless nature of the attack and its disregard for the regional impact, underscoring the environmental disaster this has precipitated. The Rubymar's crew was evacuated with the assistance of coalition and merchant vessels, marking a dire situation as efforts to address the damage and prevent further environmental degradation continue.[5]
