The Liberia-flagged tanker Delta Blue, with a deadweight of 158,000 tons, recently faced a rare multi-day attack by the Houthis. This attack involved the use of speed boats, shoulder-launched RPGs, missiles, and drones. Despite the intensity of the assault, the vessel reported no damage and is continuing its journey. Security analysts are speculating on the situation as the Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The Delta Blue, owned by Greek firm Delta Tankers, operates in the crude oil sector with a fleet of 29 tankers totaling over five million tons. The vessel’s lack of connections to the U.S., UK, or Israel, primary targets of Houthi aggression, raises questions about the motive behind the attack. Speculation suggests a possible affiliation to Israel due to the intensity and nature of the attack.
The attack on the Delta Blue began with RPG fire followed by missile explosions and drone threats. The vessel, equipped with armed guards, successfully defended against the attacks. The incident highlights the importance of having armed guards on board to mitigate threats. This attack comes after a period of relative calm in Houthi activity against specific ships, with unconfirmed reports of attacks on other vessels. US Central Command continues to monitor and respond to threats from the Houthis in the region.
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