The U.S. Central Command reported that the Houthi rebels launched five anti-ship ballistic missiles at the Chinese-owned and operated oil tanker MV Huang Pu, which is registered under a Panamanian flag, on Saturday. The attack resulted in one missile hitting the vessel, causing minimal damage and a small onboard fire that was quickly extinguished. There were no casualties reported from the incident.
The ownership of the MV Huang Pu is attributed to a Chinese company. This attack comes as a surprise since the Houthis had previously declared that Chinese ships would not be targeted. Speculation suggests that the Houthis might have been acting on outdated information, as the South China Morning Post noted a change in the registered owner of the ship in February 2024.
Following the missile attack, no statement has been issued by the Houthi representatives, who typically use the social media site X to announce such strikes. Similarly, the People’s Republic of China has not commented on the incident.
Additionally, USS Carney (DDG-64) and other U.S. Central Command forces observed six Houthi drones over the Red Sea. Of these, five fell into the sea, and one continued inland into Yemen.
The missile strike occurred shortly after diplomatic efforts involving Chinese and Russian officials met with Mohammed Abdel Salam, a Houthi spokesperson, in Oman. These talks were aimed at negotiating immunity from the blockade affecting one of the crucial trade corridors in the world. Despite previous assurances not to target Chinese vessels, the attack on MV Huang Pu contradicts these claims.
China, a significant ally to Iran—known for facing sanctions over its nuclear program, human rights abuses, and support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine—is also the largest consumer of Iranian gas. The Houthis had been reportedly promised support in critical international forums like the UN Security Council in exchange for ensuring safe passage for Russian and Chinese ships. Despite this, Beijing has publicly called for a cessation of Houthi actions in the Red Sea.
MARCH 23 RED SEA UPDATE
From 2:50 to 4:30 a.m. (Sanaa time)
March 23, the Iranian-backed Houthis launched four anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) into the Red Sea in the vicinity of M/V Huang Pu, a Panamanian-flagged, Chinese-owned, Chinese-operated oil tanker.At 4:25 p.m.… pic.twitter.com/n1RwYdW87E
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 24, 2024
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