Yemen’s Houthi movement has recently escalated its attacks on vessels in the Red and Mediterranean seas, targeting three ships with ballistic missiles, drones, and booby-trapped boats.
These actions, as stated by Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, were in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis in Gaza, which resulted in significant casualties, Reuters reports.. In their latest operations, the Houthis specifically targeted the Bentley I refined products carrier and the Chios Lion oil tanker in the Red Sea.
According to Reuters, while no damage or injuries were reported in these incidents, the Houthis, along with the Iraqi Islamic Resistance, also claimed responsibility for targeting the Olvia in the Mediterranean Sea, although this attack could not be independently verified.
On Monday, two vessels were reported attacked near Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah. One ship sustained minor damage from a drone boat, while another faced an attack by three small craft, including one unmanned boat that collided with the vessel. Despite the hostilities, both vessels and their crews managed to continue their journeys safely.
UKMTO WARNING INCIDENT 099 ATTACK – UPDATE 003https://t.co/6mNrG6WD8m#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/uqftqOSbwC
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) July 15, 2024
These actions have prompted retaliatory strikes from U.S. and British forces, aimed at neutralizing drone and missile launch sites in Yemen. The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency reports that these Houthi attacks have affected at least 65 countries and numerous energy and shipping companies, Reuters informs.
