Attempted missile and drone attacks on merchant ship off Yemen
Off the coast of Yemen, there have been multiple attempted attacks on a merchant ship. According to the UK's maritime security agency, UKMTO, a rocket-propelled grenade exploded near the ship off the port city of Mokha on Thursday, followed by a rocket.
The ship also reported an attempted drone attack, which was thwarted by an armed security team on board. In a fourth attack, another rocket exploded near the ship. The crew and the ship were unharmed and were heading to the nearest port on their route, the UKMTO said.
Security firm Ambrey reported three attacks by the Yemeni Houthi militia on a ship off the Yemeni coast. No damage or injuries were initially reported. A Washington-based think tank expert identified the targeted oil tanker as the "Delta Blue," sailing under the Libyan flag and heading towards Greece.
The coastal city of Mokha lies on the Bab al-Mandab Strait, connecting the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea. The Iran-backed Houthis have been attacking ships on this vital trade route since November. Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi described the reduction in shipping traffic in the region as a "great victory." The militia has reportedly attacked 177 ships so far.
The Houthis claim their attacks aim to support the radical Palestinian organization Hamas in its war against Israel. In response to Houthi attacks, the US and UK have launched strikes against the militia in Yemen. The German navy was also present in the region as part of the EU maritime mission "Aspides" on the frigate "Hessen."
The UK's maritime security agency, UKMTO, stated that the following attempted drone attack on the merchant ship was successfully thwarted by an armed security team on board. Subsequently, several international organizations, such as Ambrey and a Washington-based think tank, have reported multiple attacks on ships off the Yemeni coast by the Yemeni Houthi militia, including the "Delta Blue."
