Houthi launch multiple attacks on ships in the Red Sea

US Central Command said the Houthi launched multiple attacks against the Israeli-owned, Monaco-operated, and Panama-flagged, 40,000 dwt tanker Bentley I.

In the first attack the Houthis used an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and two small crewed boats. UKMTO that the uncrewed vessel collided with the tanker twice and the two small crewed craft also fire on the vessel. It was reported that the attack was aborted after 15 minutes and no injuries or damage have been reported.

Later the Houthis attacked the Bentley I again, this time launching a anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) towards it. No damage or injuries were reported to the vessel.

The Houthi also attacked the Stealth Maritime aframax tanker Chios Lion, which is Marshall Islands owned and flagged with Liberia. The attack was launched with a USV which caused damage to the tanker according to US Centcom, although no assistance from naval forces was requested.

“This continued reckless behaviour by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” US Centcom stated. 

“The Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and yet they are targeting and threatening the lives of third country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza.”

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The Houthi also claimed to have attacked the Cyprus-owned tanker Olivia in the Mediterranean in a joint operation with Iraqi militants. A Houthi spokesman described the operation as successful but gave no further details.