US military ‘destroyed’ 2 Houthi vessels in the Red Sea

The US military said on Tuesday that it had destroyed two Houthi vessels in the Red Sea, as maritime security agencies reported that two ships reported blasts off the coast of Yemen. Two crude oil tankers reported coming under attack on Tuesday, although neither reported damage, Reuters reported the agencies adding.

August 13 U.S. Central Command Update

In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi vessels in the Red Sea.

These vessels presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in… pic.twitter.com/u3ripbA0PA

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 14, 2024

The attempted assaults on the vessels, identified by the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Centre (JIMC) as the Liberia-flagged Delta Atlantica and the Panama-flagged On Phoenix, bear the hallmarks of Iran-aligned Houthi attacks on international cargo shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The Houthis have not claimed responsibility. The vessels and crew in both incidents are safe and proceeding to their next ports of call.

Since November, the Houthi campaign has sunk two ships and killed at least three sailors. It has persisted despite US and British strikes on equipment and launch sites in Yemen.

The captain of the ship identified as the Delta Atlantica reported three incidents, including two approaches by drone boats, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency and British maritime security firm Ambrey, as well as the JIMC. Delta Tankers confirmed reports that Delta Atlantica and its crew were safe. Managers for the On Phoenix did not immediately comment.

The threat of Houthi attacks has forced many ships that normally use the Suez Canal between Asia and Europe to reroute around Africa. This drives up transportation costs, delays goods and increases pollution from ships.

In a related development, three senior Iranian officials told Reuters on Tuesday that only a ceasefire deal in Gaza stemming from hoped-for talks this week would hold Iran back from direct retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

With an increased risk of a broader Middle East war after the killings of Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut hours earlier, Iran has been involved in intense dialogue with Western countries and the US in recent days on ways to calibrate retaliation, sources told Reuters.

READ: Oil tanker reports 4 attacks off Yemen