Missile and Drone Strikes Hit Vessels Off Yemen's Red Sea Port

Two vessels were damaged after being hit by missiles and a sea drone off Yemen's Red Sea port of Hodeidah. The Panama-flagged tanker M/T Cordelia Moon and a Liberia-flagged bulker reported damage but no casualties. Yemen’s Houthis claimed the attacks as solidarity actions with Palestinians.

Two vessels sustained damage after being hit with missiles and a sea drone off Yemen's Red Sea port of Hodeidah early on Tuesday, according to maritime security agencies and sources monitoring the area.

Both vessels reported that their crews were safe. The Panama-flagged tanker M/T Cordelia Moon was struck by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) 64 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported. British security firm Ambrey and the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) noted that the vessel, in ballast condition, sustained damage to its port side tank and was proceeding to its next port of call. Prior to the attack, the vessel had observed four splashes in the water nearby, likely attempted missile attacks, according to a maritime security source.

The second vessel, a Liberia-flagged bulker, was damaged by a missile about 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah. The vessel, en route to Suez, also reported no casualties. Authorities are investigating both incidents.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militants later claimed the attack on the Cordelia Moon, stating it was hit by eight ballistic and winged missiles, a drone, and an uncrewed surface boat. They also claimed to have targeted a third ship, Marathopolis, in the Indian Ocean with a drone and a winged missile. The Houthis have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since last November in support of Palestinians in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

(With inputs from agencies.)