Publication date:
July 17, 2024
Houthis Claim Sea Drone Strike on Oil Tanker in Red Sea
Yemen's Houthi rebels released footage allegedly showing a sea drone attack on an oil tanker in the Red Sea, marking another incident in their ongoing campaign against commercial shipping.
Maritime Security
The Houthi rebel group in Yemen has released video footage purportedly showing one of their sea drones striking an oil tanker in the Red Sea. This incident is part of an escalating series of attacks on commercial vessels in the region.
According to the Houthis, the targeted vessel was the Chios Lion. The attack was reportedly carried out due to the ship's alleged violation of the group's ban on entry to ports in what they term "occupied Palestine." The video shows a blurred object approaching the tanker's bow before exploding on impact.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed an attack on the Liberian-flagged, Marshall Islands-owned, and Greek-operated crude oil tanker, resulting in damage to the vessel. CENTCOM also reported multiple attacks on another tanker, the MT Bentley I, using various methods including a sea drone, small boats, and an anti-ship ballistic missile, though no damage was reported in that instance.
The Houthis have significantly increased their use of naval drones in recent months, with attacks occurring almost daily last week. Between October and April, the group carried out at least 53 attacks on commercial vessels, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Maritime Administration. The Defense Intelligence Agency reported that between December and March, Houthi attacks damaged at least 19 commercial ships.
Experts suggest that the increase in successful attacks indicates the Houthis are learning from their campaign and potentially receiving ongoing support from Iran, their primary military and financial backer. The group has stated that their operations will continue unless "the aggression is stopped and the siege on the Palestinian people is lifted in Gaza."
This escalation in maritime attacks poses significant challenges for global energy markets, potentially disrupting oil shipments and raising concerns about the security of vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Energy traders and analysts will need to closely monitor these developments, as they could lead to increased shipping costs, insurance premiums, and potential supply chain disruptions in the oil sector.
According to the Houthis, the targeted vessel was the Chios Lion. The attack was reportedly carried out due to the ship's alleged violation of the group's ban on entry to ports in what they term "occupied Palestine." The video shows a blurred object approaching the tanker's bow before exploding on impact.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed an attack on the Liberian-flagged, Marshall Islands-owned, and Greek-operated crude oil tanker, resulting in damage to the vessel. CENTCOM also reported multiple attacks on another tanker, the MT Bentley I, using various methods including a sea drone, small boats, and an anti-ship ballistic missile, though no damage was reported in that instance.
The Houthis have significantly increased their use of naval drones in recent months, with attacks occurring almost daily last week. Between October and April, the group carried out at least 53 attacks on commercial vessels, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Maritime Administration. The Defense Intelligence Agency reported that between December and March, Houthi attacks damaged at least 19 commercial ships.
Experts suggest that the increase in successful attacks indicates the Houthis are learning from their campaign and potentially receiving ongoing support from Iran, their primary military and financial backer. The group has stated that their operations will continue unless "the aggression is stopped and the siege on the Palestinian people is lifted in Gaza."
This escalation in maritime attacks poses significant challenges for global energy markets, potentially disrupting oil shipments and raising concerns about the security of vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Energy traders and analysts will need to closely monitor these developments, as they could lead to increased shipping costs, insurance premiums, and potential supply chain disruptions in the oil sector.
