Yemen’s Houthi militants struck an oil tanker in the Red Sea with a ballistic missile early Saturday, damaging the Greek-flagged vessel in their latest attack against Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, officials said.
Although the Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the assault, it came as they claimed to have shot down another American service member. MQ-9 Reaper Drone on Yemen and launched other attacks on shipping, disrupting trade on a key shipping route leading to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.
The attack struck around 1 a.m. the tanker Wind, which recently docked in Russia and was heading to China, U.S. Central Command said. China and Russia have military equipment and oil ties with Iran. the main benefactor of the Houthis.
The missile strike “caused a flood that resulted in a loss of propulsion and steering,” Central Command said on Social Platform X. “The M/T Wind crew was able to restore propulsion and steering, and no casualties were reported. M/T Wind resumed its course under its own power.”
The British Army’s Maritime Commercial Operations Center and private security firm Ambrey also acknowledged the attack on Saturday. Ambrey said this caused a fire aboard the Wind.
It can take hours or even days for the Houthis to claim responsibility for their attacks.
Since the outbreak of Israel’s war against Hamasthe Houthis have attacked or threatened more than 100 commercial or military vessels in the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis claim their attacks are a protest against Israel’s war against Hamas and against U.S. support for Israel, but U.S. officials emphasize that many of the ships targeted by the group have no connection to Israel.
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Houthi attacks have declined in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a US-led campaign of airstrikes in Yemen. The United States and the United Kingdom, with the support of other countries, led four laps of joint airstrikes to destroy Houthi capabilities in Yemen. Additionally, the US military carries out self-defense strikes against Houthi missiles and drones when he sees the Houthis preparing for an attack.
However, shipping via the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden remains low due to the threat.
The Houthis claimed to have shot down the Reaper on Thursday with a surface-to-air missile. They described the drone as “carrying out hostile actions” in Yemen’s Marib province, which remains held by allies of the internationally recognized Yemeni government in exile.
Before Thursday, three Reaper drones have crashed since November in or near Yemen, at least two of whom have been confirmed to have been shot dead by the Houthis.
The Reapers, which cost about $30 million each, can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and have an endurance of up to 24 hours before needing to land.
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