Two Crude Oil Tankers Attacked In The Red Sea Off Yemen, Houthis Suspected

Two crude oil tankers, the Liberian-flagged Delta Atlantica and the Panama-flagged On Phoenix, were reportedly attacked in the Red Sea off Yemen’s coast on August 13, 2024.

Maritime Security Agencies reported that neither vessel sustained damage, and all crew members from the vessels were safe.

The attempted attacks, which included drone boat approaches and explosions, are suspected to be carried out by the Iran-backed Houthis. Although, the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attacks yet.

The incidents are part of the ongoing Houthi attacks against international shipping in the region, claimed to be in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Delta Atlantica was attacked thrice, including two approaches by unmanned surface vessels (USVs) around 63 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

The On Phoenix also reported an explosion nearby but avoided any direct hits.

Houthis have sunk two ships and killed at least four sailors since November 2023.

Despite US and British military strikes targeting Houthi equipment and launch sites, the Houthi attacks continue to disrupt maritime traffic and increase transportation costs as companies are rerouting ships away from the targeted areas.

In a related incident, U.S. forces destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi vessels in the Red Sea on August 12-13, 2024, which posed a direct threat to both the merchant vessels and the coalition forces.

Reference: Reuters, US Centcom

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Source: Maritime Shipping News