Houthis Attack Multiple Ships, Damage 1 in Red Sea

Sailors from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group assist distressed mariners rescued from the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier M/V Tutor that was attacked by Houthis, in the Red Sea, on June 15, 2024. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Handout via REUTERS

Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for a trio of attacks targeting commercial ships on July 15, including an explosive drone boat attack that damaged an oil tanker.

The Houthis—a Zaydi Shiite faction listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group by the U.S. government—claimed credit for two attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and another in the Mediterranean Sea.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)—the military component overseeing U.S. operations in the Middle East—confirmed attacks targeting the two commercial vessels in a statement on the evening of July 15.

CENTCOM identified the first of the two ships targeted in the Red Sea as a Panama-flagged, Israel-owned, Monaco-operated tanker vessel called the MT Bentley I.

The U.S. command stated that the ship reported no damage or injuries despite being targeted by missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, two small boats, and another uncrewed surface vessel (USV).

It identified the second vessel targeted in the Red Sea as a Liberia-flagged, Marshall Islands-owned, Greece-operated crude oil tanker known as the MT Chios Lion.

The U.S. military component stated that a USV drone boat did strike the oil vessel and caused damage, but it noted that the ship’s crew had not reported injuries or requested assistance.

A press representative for the Houthis shared footage purporting to show the strike on the Chios Lion.

The footage, which The Epoch Times could not independently verify, depicted the explosive-laden drone sailing up to a larger vessel before exploding at the waterline.

The Houthis claimed that the third ship targeted, the Olvia, was operating in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Yemeni rebel faction did not specify what, if any damage, it inflicted on the Olvia but claimed that its efforts were successful. CENTCOM provided no details about this alleged attack in its July 15 statement.

Vessel data recorded by the site Marine Traffic describe the Olvia as a Cyprus-flagged crude oil tanker. Tracking data on the Marine Traffic website indicate that it had recently visited the Israeli port city of Ashdod.

The Houthis have battled with the internationally recognized Yemeni government for control of the country in recent years.

While this Yemeni internal conflict has waned in recent months, the Houthis have turned their attention to the conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israeli forces and Hamas; another U.S.-designated terrorist group.

Yemen's Houthi rebels attend a rally in solidarity with the terror group Hamas in Sanaa Yemen, on Jan. 29, 2024. Mohammed Huwais/AFP via Getty Images

The Houthis have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea and its adjoining waterways.

The rebel faction has claimed that these attacks are in solidarity with the embattled Palestinian people, but they’ve elicited condemnation from the international community.

“The Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and yet they are targeting and threatening the lives of third-country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza,” CENTCOM said in its statement.

“USCENTCOM will continue to act with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities.”

It reported destroying five Houthi UAVs on July 15, including three operating over the Red Sea and two more over Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Red Sea Standoff

The Houthis first began attacking ships in the Red Sea and its neighboring waters in October 2023, near the start of the current Israel–Hamas conflict.

This pattern of attacks has continued for nearly nine months.

The United States, its allies, and partners have intercepted dozens of drone and missile attacks and launched numerous strikes on suspected Houthi targets inside Yemen.

However, international forces have not been able to shield every vessel.

The Houthis hijacked the Bahamas-flagged vehicle carrier MV Galaxy Leader in November 2023 and took its crew of 25 captive.

The Houthis have damaged dozens of additional vessels in their attacks and sunk at least two.

This photo released by the Houthi Media Center shows Houthi forces boarding the cargo ship Galaxy Leader on Nov. 19, 2023. The Canadian Press/AP-HO, Houthi Media Center

The Belize-flagged bulk carrier MV Rubymar sank on March 2, two weeks after being crippled by a Houthi ballistic missile attack on Feb. 18.

The Liberia-flagged and Greece-owned bulk carrier MV Tutor sank on June 18, six days after being struck by a Houthi USV.

That attack marked the first instance of the Houthis successfully employing one of these explosive drone boats in one of their attacks.

A Filipino sailor aboard the cargo ship was killed in the attack.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group led the initial U.S. military response to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea but left the region in late June.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group rotated into the area to help respond to attacks.