Yemeni Houthi rebels launched two separate attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea on Monday, coinciding with the approach of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the region.
The Houthi group released a video showing what they claim to be a sea drone striking the Liberian-flagged oil tanker, MT Chios Lion. The footage depicts a small vessel colliding with the left side of the tanker, causing a significant explosion. Ship-tracking data confirms the Chios Lion’s presence in the Red Sea around the time of the reported attack, which aligns with the details provided by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Houthi naval drone strikes a tanker ship in the Red Sea pic.twitter.com/67Rz5HD3H0
— OSINTNic (@OSINTNic) July 17, 2024
In a separate attack on the same day, the Panama-flagged, Israeli-owned MT Bently I was targeted by three small Houthi vessels, including an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and two crewed boats. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that the vessel managed to conduct self-protection measures, causing the attackers to abort their mission after 15 minutes.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed these incidents and identified the vessels involved. CENTCOM condemned the attacks, stating, “This continued reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.”
The Houthis have escalated their campaign against maritime targets in the region, asserting that their actions are in support of Palestinians in Gaza. However, many of the attacked ships have no direct connection to Israel, the United States, or Britain. Since November, the Houthis have conducted over 70 assaults on commercial vessels, killing four sailors and causing significant disruptions to global shipping routes.
In response to the increasing threat, the U.S. has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to replace the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which has been stationed in the Red Sea to counter Houthi activities. This move underscores the strategic importance of the region and the need for heightened security measures to protect maritime traffic.
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