Houthis Release Footage of USV Attack on Tanker, Escalating Threats in the Red Sea

The Iran-backed Houthis have released new footage of an unmanned surface vessel (USV) attack on the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Cordelia Moon in the Red Sea on October 1. The attack included multiple missile strikes and a USV hit while the ship was empty and in ballast condition. The ship was targeted while traveling through the southern Red Sea, approximately 64 nautical miles from Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The attack unfolded in three phases, with projectiles landing near the ship’s bow and stern before the USV hit the port side.

Despite sustaining damage, the Cordelia Moon did not require assistance, and all crew members are safe as the ship continues to its next port of call. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) confirmed that the ship appeared to be targeted due to its operational connections. The current threat assessment indicates that vessels with Israeli, US, or British ties are most vulnerable, but ships within corporate structures linked to Israel are also at risk.

This latest incident highlights the escalating dangers faced by ships and their crews in the Red Sea, especially those with affiliations to countries deemed adversaries by the Houthi rebels. As tensions in the region persist, the threat to ships remains a pressing concern. The JMIC’s reports shed light on the targeted nature of these attacks, emphasizing the need for heightened security measures and vigilance for vessels operating in the area.

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