Two Liberian-flagged ship attacks and a round of Israeli airstrikes early Monday targeting Houthi rebels raised fears of a renewed Houthi campaign against shipping.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday that a cargo ship they struck with gunfire, rockets and explosive-laden remote-controlled boats had sunk in the Red Sea, after their first known attack on the high seas this year.

A ship set ablaze by a series of attacks in the Red Sea was taking on water Sunday night as its crew prepared to abandon the vessel. The attack marks the first serious assault in the vital corridor for trade after a monthslong campaign by Yemen's Houthi rebels there.