Houthi attack claims first victim, MV Rubymar sinks
The Sri Lanka Navy is making preparations to continue its patrol of the troubled Western Indian Ocean waters off the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in Yemen, The Daily Morning learns.
Sri Lanka’s first deployment for the Red Sea patrol, which was conducted in great secrecy by SLNS Gajabahu (ex-USCG cutter) resulted in the navy thwarting a suspected narcotic trafficking attempt by an Arabian Dhow. The Gajabahu and her crew quietly slipped back into Trincomalee bay in time for last week’s fleet review by President Wickremesinghe.
When asked, Navy spokesman Capt. Gayan Wickremesuriya told The Daily Morning that the Navy was prepared to send a vessel to continue the patrolling they carried out as joint patrols under the banner of the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). “We are making preparations to continue our deployment.” Wickremesuriya said, but would not disclose any further information citing operational secrecy.
Sri Lanka became a partner of the CMF in November 2023, after trying to secure entry to the multinational maritime partnership for several years. The 41-member multinational partnership began in the early 2000s following concerns about piracy, terrorism, and maritime crime.
President Wickrememsinghe addressing an Air Force passing out parade at China Bay SLAF Academy in Trincomalee stressed that, if the economic rights of Sri Lanka are harmed in the Red Sea, the country will stand up for them. He also stated that Sri Lanka will work to provide the necessary support to the United Nations organisation whenever there are problems with peace in the region and the world.
“Any disturbance to the peace and stability of the region poses a threat to our country. We cannot thrive in isolation; rather, we must collaborate with other nations and progress together. As a country that has experienced conflict, it is our duty to actively participate in initiatives aimed at maintaining stability and security in the region. Additionally, global peace is of utmost importance to us. Therefore, if the involvement of our armed forces is required in such endeavours, our nation should be prepared to intervene. Our security forces have played a significant role in safeguarding the state of Mali from terrorism, earning appreciation from others for their efforts. In the event of our economic rights being compromised in the Red Sea, we are steadfast in our commitment to protecting them. Consequently, should issues arise concerning regional or global peace, we pledge to extend the necessary support to the United Nations Organisation. Preserving world peace and stability, as well as ensuring the tranquillity and security of our nation, are paramount objectives” Wickremesinghe told the cadet officers who were passing out.
Meanwhile, the commercial shipping community suffered its first complete loss at the hands of Houthi attacks on Saturday (2), when the Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier MV Rubymar, sank in the Red Sea after being struck by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile last month (18 February). The ship had been slowly taking on water since the unprovoked attack last month, when her crew was forced to abandon the ship. The MV Rubymar, which was carrying approximately 21,000 metric tons of ammonium phosphate sulphate fertiliser, sank around 0215 hours last Saturday, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The fertiliser the vessel was carrying presents an environmental risk in the Red Sea. As the ship sinks it also presents a subsurface impact risk to other ships transiting the busy shipping lanes of the waterway, CENTCOM said.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen had begun to attack in late 2023, in response to ongoing Israeli attacks into the Gaza Strip, which had drawn international condemnation, including that of Sri Lanka.
Around 43 commercial vessels have been attacked by the Houthi rebels as of last week, since attacks began on 19 November 2023. The resulting crisis has caused significant disruption to global supply chains, increasing costs and pollution as commercial vessels try to use longer alternative routes to get to their destinations. MV Rubymar was the first vessel to sink following damage and catching fire after a Houthi attack.