Video Captures Houthi Drone Boat Attack on British Oil Tanker in Red Sea
Dramatic footage has emerged showing Yemen’s Houthi rebels launching an explosive-laden drone boat at the British oil tanker Cordelia Moon in the Red Sea. The video captures a massive explosion on the tanker’s port side, resulting in significant damage and billowing smoke plumes.
The attack occurred approximately 110km off the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, targeting the Panama-flagged vessel’s buoyancy. A nearby ship’s captain reported four “splashes” in the vicinity, likely indicating missiles that missed their intended target.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the assault, stating it involved eight ballistic and winged missiles, a drone, and an uncrewed surface boat. In a separate incident, a Liberia-flagged bulker was also damaged by a missile about 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah.
Despite the attacks, both vessels reported their crews were safe. These incidents mark the first assaults on commercial shipping by the rebels in weeks and coincide with escalating tensions as the conflict between Israel and Lebanon risks expanding into a broader regional war.
The attacks followed a threat from the Houthis to intensify military operations against Israel after an American military drone was reportedly shot down over Yemen. These events underscore the ongoing instability in the region and the potential for further maritime threats.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community remains on high alert, closely monitoring the situation in the Red Sea and surrounding areas for potential further escalations.