- Houthi rebels attacked two crude oil tankers.
- The U.S. Central Command said the Houthis attacked the two tankers with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack uncrewed aerial system, hitting both vessels.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked two crude oil tankers in the Red Sea on Monday, calling the assaults “reckless acts of terrorism”, reports Reuters.
Reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis
The US Central Command said the Houthis attacked the two tankers with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack uncrewed aerial system, hitting both vessels.
Both vessels were laden with crude oil, according to the U.S. military statement, which described the attacks as “reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis.”
Two sources told Reuters earlier that the ships were sailing near each other when they were hit but were able to continue their voyages with no major damage assessed or any casualties.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, has watched with alarm as Houthi missiles have been fired over its territory to target ships in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has tried to extract itself from a messy war in Yemen and a destructive feud with the Houthis’ principal backer, Iran.
The Houthis first launched aerial drone and missile strikes on the waterway in November. They say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians under assault in Israel’s war on Gaza that has killed tens of thousands, flattened most of the enclave and caused a humanitarian crisis following Palestinian Islamist group Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 attack.
In more than 70 attacks, the Houthis have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least three seafarers.
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Source: Reuters
