Houthis Attack 2 Ships in Red Sea Over Israel Port Usage

Photo : Reuters

Dubai: Yemen's Houthi rebels have launched drone and missile strikes on two tankers in the Red Sea, even as Western naval forces are deployed to safeguard this vital global trade route. The attacks occurred on Monday and have raised concerns over the security of international shipping lanes.

In a statement on the social media platform X, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced that the targets were two oil tankers: the Panama-flagged BENTLEY I and the Liberia-flagged CHIOS LION. Saree detailed that the BENTLEY I was attacked using "drone boats, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ballistic missiles," while the CHIOS LION was hit with uncrewed surface vessels. The spokesperson claimed the attacks were in retaliation for the tankers' owners using Israeli ports.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had earlier reported two separate incidents in the Red Sea. According to UKMTO, a ship sailing southwest of the port city of Hodeidah was attacked by three small vessels. Two of these vessels had three individuals on board each, while the third was unmanned. The unmanned craft collided with the ship twice, and the manned vessels opened fire. The attack was aborted after 15 minutes, and the ship continued its journey without injuries or significant damage.

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Later, the same ship reported four missile explosions nearby, though no injuries or damage were sustained. The UKMTO's account was corroborated by British maritime security firm Ambrey, which noted that the attacked vessel had a private armed security team on board.

In a separate incident, another uncrewed surface vessel struck a merchant vessel 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah. This attack resulted in minor damage and light smoke, but the vessel and its crew were reported safe and continued to their next port of call.

These incidents highlight the ongoing threat in the Red Sea despite the presence of Western naval forces. The United States and Britain have responded with retaliatory strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen since January. On Sunday, the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the destruction of several Houthi drones, stating that these actions were meant to protect the freedom of navigation and ensure the safety of international waters.

The attacks on Monday underscore the persistent volatility in the region and the challenges faced by international shipping amidst the conflict in Yemen. With the Red Sea being a critical artery for global trade, the security of these waters remains a top priority for international naval forces

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