Oil Tanker Attacked Twice With Rare Rocket-propelled Grenade & Missile Off Yemen

The crude oil tanker Delta Blue was attacked by two small craft, each carrying four people, approximately 45 nautical miles south of Yemen’s port of Mokha, on August 08, 2024, according to the UKMTO.

The attackers, clothed in white and yellow raincoats, launched a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) that exploded near the ship. After that, another missile explosion occurred near the tanker.

Fortunately, the crew and vessel are safe and continue their journey to the next port.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi terrorists have targeted international shipping in the Red Sea region since November 2023 to support Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The attacks have led to retaliatory strikes by the United States and the United Kingdom, causing severe disruptions in global trade and forcing many shipowners to divert vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

The UKMTO has remarked that the latest attack is unusual as it employed manned small craft rather than the Houthi’s usual UAVs, uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), and ballistic missiles.

Vanguard, a maritime security firm, identified the vessel as the Greek-owned Delta Blue, which appears to have no direct connections to the United States, the United Kingdom, or Israel.

On August 7-8, 2024, the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed one Houthi ground control station and two Iranian-backed Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles in Yemen.

The forces also destroyed one uncrewed Houthi surface vessel in the Red Sea, posing an imminent threat to the merchant vessels and the US-led coalition forces.

The UKMTO advises ships passing through the Red Sea to remain alert for suspicious activities.

Reference: Reuters