Houthi rebels targeted the British oil tanker Cordelia Moon in the Red Sea using a kamikaze boat, with video footage showing the tanker’s security team attempting to intercept the vessel. The video, captured by the crew, depicts the security team firing rifles in an effort to disable the unmanned boat as it approached. Despite their efforts, the boat collided with the tanker, resulting in a large explosion.

The Houthis attacked the British oil tanker Cordelia Moon with a kamikaze fishing boat. The security team on board tried to destroy it before it hit but failed. pic.twitter.com/ngpkO18jYX

— Mike (@Doranimated) October 3, 2024

The Houthis later released their own footage of the attack, following a statement by Brigadier General Yahya Saree who claimed responsibility for the strike. He said the Houthis had used a combination of eight ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, and an unmanned surface vessel (USV) to target the Cordelia Moon.

The other POV: Houthi kamikaze boat attack on British oil tanker Cordelia Moon. https://t.co/ZQKPIRbQbp pic.twitter.com/bn1to9n0Np

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 3, 2024

This contrasts with a previous successful interception of a Houthi USV by the security crew aboard the Liberian-flagged container ship Pumba, where rifle fire destroyed the approaching boat before it could reach the ship.

The Houthis attack a container ship using a kamikaze drone boat. pic.twitter.com/GsxCAxLcDk

— Alex Bond (@AlexBondODUA) July 23, 2024