In a brazen act of aggression, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile that struck the Greek-owned and Panama-flagged oil tanker, M/T Wind, in the strategic waters of the Red Sea. The vessel, recently docked in Russia and en route to China, sustained damage that temporarily hampered its propulsion and steering capabilities. This latest incident, occurring at around 1 a.m. local time, forms part of a wider series of maritime disruptions attributed to the Houthi group, which has been involved in an escalating conflict over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
The missile strike resulted in “flooding which resulted in the of loss propulsion and steering,” according to a statement by the U.S. military’s Central Command (CENTCOM). However, the tanker’s crew demonstrated resilience, quickly managing to restore the ship’s systems, and thankfully, no casualties were reported. CENTCOM’s statement detailed that the ship was able to “resume its course under its own power.”
This incident signals an alarming trend of maritime security threats in a region critical for global shipping routes. Although the Houthis did not initially claim responsibility for this attack, history indicates that it often takes them hours, sometimes days, to acknowledge their offensives. The attack on the M/T Wind has been similarly recognized by the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center and private security firm Ambrey, with the latter confirming that the assault triggered a fire on board.
The strategic significance of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as maritime conduits to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea cannot be overstated. The Houthis have increased assaults in this region, linking their actions to the demand for an end to the conflict in Gaza, which has already claimed over 35,000 Palestinian lives. In response, shipping activity in these waters has diminished due to the continued threat, with the U.S. Maritime Administration citing more than 50 Houthi attacks on vessels since November, including the seizure of one ship and the sinking of another.
The Houthi campaign has broad geopolitical implications, with Iran often identified as the primary backer of the group. The U.S. and UK, with the support of other countries, have engaged in joint airstrike campaigns targeting Houthi positions in Yemen to curtail their capabilities.
The recent missile attack is a disturbing reminder of the precarious security situation in the Red Sea. Despite the U.S.-led efforts to suppress Houthi aggression, the rebels’ claim of downing a U.S. military MQ-9 Reaper drone further illustrates the sustained threat they pose in the region. Such drone losses have become increasingly common since the Houthis seized northern Yemen and the capital, Sanaa, in 2014.
Relevant articles:
– U.S. military: Terrorist missile strikes oil tanker in the Red Sea , North Platte Post, 05/20/2024
– Yemen’s Houthi rebels launch a missile that strikes an oil tanker in the Red Sea, US military says, ABC News, 05/18/2024
– Houthi missile strikes Greek-owned oil tanker in Red Sea, U.S. says, CBS News, 05/18/2024
– An oil tanker going from Russia to China is hit by a Houthi missile in the Red Sea, U.S. military says, Fortune, 05/18/2024
– Latest Houthi strike in Red Sea hits oil tanker: US officials, The Hill, 05/18/2024
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