Houthis Attack Two Vessels Near Yemeni Coast

Two vessels were damaged by missiles and a sea drone near Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hodeidah on Tuesday. The Panama-flagged tanker M/T Cordelia Moon reported being hit by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) 64 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, sustaining damage on its port side tank. The vessel, in ballast condition, reported seeing four splashes in the water near it, believed to be attempted missile attacks. Another vessel, a Liberia-flagged bulker, was hit by a missile about 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, sustaining damage and bound for Suez. Both incidents are under investigation.

Despite the damage, the crews of both vessels were reported safe. The Houthi militants in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack on the Cordelia Moon, stating it was hit with eight ballistic and winged missiles, a drone, and an uncrewed surface boat. They also claimed to have targeted a third ship, Marathopolis, in the Indian Ocean with a drone and winged missile. The attacks are part of a series of incidents targeting international shipping near Yemen since last November, in solidarity with Palestinians during the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, British security firm Ambrey, and the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) are monitoring the situation and coordinating responses to the attacks. The vessels involved are continuing their journeys to their next ports of call, despite the damages sustained. The maritime security sources are working to ensure the safety and security of vessels in the region, with authorities conducting thorough investigations into the incidents to determine the full extent of the damages and the parties responsible.

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