Weekend Sees Houthis Claim More Attacks on Multiple Vessels

Houthis attacking an oil tanker
Middle East Accidents & Emergencies
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Updated Published

Reuters reported that the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on a U.S. aircraft carrier, a U.S. destroyer, and three other vessels. A Houthi spokesperson announced on Saturday, June 1, that they had targeted the U.S. aircraft carrier Eisenhower, a U.S. destroyer, and three ships named Abliani, Maina, and Al Oraiq, which were sailing in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The spokesperson detailed that the U.S. aircraft carrier Eisenhower was targeted north of the Red Sea with several missiles and drones. They also claimed to have attacked the U.S. destroyer and the crude oil tanker Abliani, which was sailing in the Red Sea. 

Abliani, a 109,999 dwt crude oil tanker flying the Maltese flag, had departed from Jazan Economic City Port, Saudi Arabia, on June 1 and was expected to arrive at the Suez Canal, Egypt, on June 4.

Additionally, the Houthis' spokesperson stated that the vessel Maina was attacked twice, once in the Red Sea and again in the Arabian Sea. Maina, a bulk carrier registered in Malta, had left Port Ust-Luga, Russia, on May 7 and was en route to Port Krishnapatnam, India. 

The spokesperson further claimed that another vessel, Al Oraiq, was also targeted in the Indian Ocean. The LNG carrier with a capacity of 205,994 cubic meters of LNG and flagged under the Marshall Islands, had departed from Ras Laffan, Qatar, on May 27, heading for Port Chioggia, Italy.

On June 2, the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) announced in a press release that on June 1, USCENTCOM forces had destroyed a Houthi uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in the southern Red Sea. They also identified two other UAS that had crashed into the Red Sea. No casualties were reported by U.S., coalition, or other commercial ships.

Furthermore, USCENTCOM forces intercepted and destroyed two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) in the southern Red Sea which were launched towards the USS Gravely.

The Houthis claimed these attacks on vessels, U.S. carriers, and destroyers following strikes by USCENTCOM and U.K. armed forces on 13 Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on May 30.