Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted three vessels, including an oil tanker, in the Red and Mediterranean seas using ballistic missiles, drones, and booby-trapped boats, they announced on Monday.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that these operations were in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, which killed at least 90 Palestinians and injured 300 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Since November, the Houthis have carried out numerous attacks, sinking two vessels and seizing another. These attacks have killed at least three sailors and disrupted global trade, forcing ship owners to avoid the Suez Canal. Their effectiveness in damaging ships has increased, largely due to the use of unmanned, armed watercraft targeting vulnerable areas of the vessels.
In a televised speech, Saree revealed that the Houthis had targeted the Bentley I refined products carrier and the Chios Lion oil tanker in the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command confirmed these attacks on Monday, noting that no damage or injuries were reported.
Additionally, the Houthis claimed to have joined forces with the Iraqi Islamic Resistance to target the Olvia in the Mediterranean Sea, though Reuters could not independently verify this attack. Managers of the Bentley I (Panama-flagged), Chios Lion (Liberia-flagged), and Olvia (Cyprus-flagged) were not immediately available for comment.
Earlier on Monday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that two vessels were attacked in the Red Sea near Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah. One ship sustained some damage after being hit by an uncrewed drone boat on its port side, causing light smoke.
Another merchant vessel, located 70 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, was attacked by three small watercraft. One of these was unmanned and collided with the ship twice while passengers on the other two boats fired at it. The ship conducted self-protection measures, and after 15 minutes, the attackers aborted the mission. Later, in what seemed to be two separate attacks, the vessel’s master reported four projectiles exploding near the ship. Both the vessel and crew were reported safe and proceeded to their next port of call.
Since November, Houthi militants in Yemen have launched drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping lanes, claiming these actions support Palestinians affected by the conflict in Gaza. The U.S. and Britain have responded with retaliatory strikes since February, targeting drones and attack sites in Yemen.
According to a report by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, at least 65 countries and major energy and shipping companies have been impacted by Houthi attacks.