Houthi Rebels Attack Cargo Ship with Red Sea Maritime Drone... "US Military Interception Becomes Difficult"

Two Cargo Ships Hit by Maritime Drones
Harder to Intercept Than Aerial Drones
"Assembled Using Parts Imported from Iran and China"

A maritime drone of the Yemeni Houthi forces captured by the Saudi Arabian military. [Image source=Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense]

The Yemeni Houthi rebels have conducted their first maritime drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, causing damage. The U.S. military, which had focused on defending against aerial drones, is struggling to counter the rapid maritime drone assaults, raising concerns about the potential increase in damage. It is reported that the Houthis receive drone manufacturing supplies from Iran through a detour along the coast of Djibouti in East Africa, which is expected to further escalate diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 16th (local time), two commercial cargo ships were hit by Houthi maritime drone attacks in the Gulf of Aden on the 12th and 13th, and all crew members abandoned ship and evacuated. The vessels involved were the Greek-flagged coal carrier Tutor and the Ukrainian-flagged timber carrier Verbena. WSJ reported that this is the first time the Houthis have launched maritime drone attacks in the Red Sea, having previously attacked commercial vessels using aerial drones, armed boats, and helicopters.

British maritime security firm Ambrey explained in a memo to clients, "This is the first time the Houthis have used maritime drones instead of missiles and aerial drones, significantly increasing the effectiveness of their attacks," adding, "The struck vessels suffered engine room flooding due to collisions and explosions." Compared to ballistic missiles and aerial drone attacks, these are harder to intercept and directly target critical parts of the hull, meaning commercial vessels could face greater damage going forward.

Since January, the Houthis had reduced drone attacks as shipments of drone production materials from Iran decreased due to increased U.S. and allied naval activity in the Red Sea. However, attacks have reportedly been increasing again recently. WSJ noted, "At the end of January, the U.S. seized large shipments of drone equipment being transported from Iran to the Houthis, dealing them a significant blow. However, the Houthis have been transporting Iranian drone equipment through Djibouti in East Africa and purchasing Chinese drone parts via Lebanon, leading to a resurgence in attacks."

The U.S. military is also facing significant challenges from the ongoing Houthi attacks. Captain Eric Blomberg of the USS Laboon, a U.S. Navy destroyer deployed in the Red Sea region, told the Associated Press, "Our destroyer’s missile launchers have been repeatedly fired to the point where the paint around them has burned off," and added, "The sailors aboard the Laboon sometimes have only seconds to identify Houthi launch sites and respond to missile attacks traveling at supersonic speeds," expressing the difficulties faced.

Meanwhile, the Houthis, a pro-Iran armed group in Yemen, have been indiscriminately attacking commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas last October. According to the U.S. military, the Houthis have launched over 50 missile attacks on merchant ships in the past seven months, resulting in the sinking of one vessel, the deaths of three crew members, and incidents where ships were entirely hijacked by the Houthis, causing ongoing damage.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.