Yemen’s Houthis Claim Responsibility for Red Sea Oil Tanker Attack
Yemen’s Houthis Claim Responsibility for Red Sea Oil Tanker Attack
The Iran-aligned Houthis of Yemen have claimed responsibility for the recent attack on the oil tanker M/T Pollux. The attack, which U.S. officials confirmed involved a missile strike, was carried out by the Yemeni Armed Forces’ naval forces in the Red Sea. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea stated that the targeting operation was executed with a large number of naval missiles, emphasizing the accuracy and precision of the strikes.
U.S. Central Command Confirms Missile Launch
U.S. Central Command (Centcom) reported that four anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Red Sea over several hours on Friday. The assessment revealed that at least three of the missiles were directed towards the M/T Pollux, a Panamanian-flagged, Denmark-owned vessel. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries as a result of the attack.
Details of the Incident
The U.S. State Department confirmed that the vessel, en route to India, was hit by a missile on its port side. The M/T Pollux, which departed from Russia’s Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk, was scheduled to discharge in Paradip, India, according to LSEG data. This incident marks the latest in a series of drone and missile attacks by the Houthis against international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Houthis’ Motivation for Attacks
The Houthis have justified their repeated drone and missile attacks as acts of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This has raised concerns about the safety and security of maritime trade routes in the region, prompting international attention and calls for increased vigilance.
Despite the geopolitical complexities surrounding the situation, the safety of commercial vessels and the lives of crew members remain paramount.
