After Israel's target strikes on Houthis in Yemen, there were reports of ships being targeted in the Red Sea yet again. In its latest suspected attacks, an explosive-loaded drone crashed into two vessels on Tuesday in the Red Sea.
The attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea are the first in several weeks since the Middle East tensions.
Though two vessels sustained damages, the crew were safe. The captain of a vessel witnessed “four splashes” near his vessel, before it struck, said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
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One of the vessels that came under the attack was a Panama-flagged tanker, which was hit by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) 64 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, added the UKMTO.
Meanwhile, the second vessel, which suffered damages was a Liberia-flagged bulker. Reportedly, the vessel sustained damage after it was hit by a missile about 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah.
According to the British security firm Ambrey, both vessels were bound for Suez.
Ambrey also said that the drone used for the attack was a ‘drone boat’, which is commonly used by Houthis.
Authorities have launched an investigation into both incidents. However, there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks.
Since November last year, Iran-backed Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war.
Israel Air Force has launched strikes at Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday. The strike was carried about 1,800 km from Israel. The targets included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, which was used by the Houthi group to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, said IDF.
Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree in a prerecorded video on Tuesday said the rebels had launched drones targeting Israel.
The Red Sea has been witnessing a battle since the Israel-Hamas war, with Houthis targeting cargo ships passing through the channel.
Over 80 merchant ships have been targeted with missiles and drones since the Gaza war after the October 7 attacks.