Houthis have launched two attacks against merchant shipping vessels on 18 May, as various naval forces in the area report.
According to US Central Command, at approximately 1 a.m. (Sanaa time) May 18, Iranian-backed Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) into the Red Sea and struck M/T Wind, a Panamanian-flagged, Greek owned and operated oil tanker. M/T Wind most recently docked in Russia and was bound for China.
The impact of the ASBM caused flooding which resulted in the of loss propulsion and steering. A coalition vessel immediately responded to the distress call by M/T Wind, but no assistance was needed. The crew of M/T Wind was able to restore propulsion and steering, and no casualties were reported. M/T Wind resumed its course under its own power.
UKMTO WARNING INCIDENT 072
ATTACKhttps://t.co/fX3hWupi7g#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/8eMqsPj3Tb
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) May 17, 2024
Furthermore, in another incident, at approximately 9:35 p.m. (Sanaa time) May 18, Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) from a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen over the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.
To remind, last week, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, announced that all ships heading to Israeli ports will be targeted, expanding their threat beyond the Red Sea region.
