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.

A Liberian-flagged cargo ship came under fire on Monday in the Red Sea, with two security guards on board reportedly hurt and two others missing in an assault that came after Yemen's Houthi rebels purportedly sunk another vessel in a similar attack.

Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, raising fears of renewed conflict in the vital shipping corridor.