Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have escalated their maritime attacks, targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with a variety of sophisticated weaponry, including anti-ship ballistic missiles and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that four anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen into the Red Sea, targeting, among others, the commercial vessel MT Pollux, a Panamanian-flagged, Denmark-owned ship. In response, American forces conducted five self-defense airstrikes against Houthi weapons systems, destroying an unmanned surface vessel, an anti-ship cruise missile, and marking the first U.S. engagement with a Houthi underwater drone. Additionally, the Houthis claimed another strike on an oil tanker in the Red Sea and announced the use of Iranian-designed attack drones for long-range targeting. The attacks have resulted in significant damage to the vessels, with the crew of the Belize-flagged cargo ship Rubymar forced to abandon ship due to a serious fire after being struck, marking one of the most damaging strikes yet. The Houthis also claimed to have downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, further intensifying the conflict.
A cargo ship's crew abandoned the vessel after it was struck by missiles in the southern Red Sea https://t.co/5EIGo2PiAC via @OmarTamo19 @alexlongley1 https://t.co/MUPvptQfEk
⚡️BREAKING The Yemenis shot down the US MQ-9 UAV near the port city of Hudaydah The $30 million drone was shot down with a $10,000 missile. This is the second MQ-9 reaper drone shot down by the Houthis since the start of the war https://t.co/Wx90lj0mCv
Crew abandons bulk carrier with fertilizers off Yemen after nearby explosion https://t.co/fUqVFOK05U
The Houthis spokesperson claims that they shot down an American MQ-9 drone over Hodeidah. https://t.co/8icl3NrfLi
The Iran-backed Houthis continued to escalate their attacks on February 19 with a new attack on a ship off the coast of Yemen. The Houthis claimed they struck the ship Rubymar off the coast. ✍️Analysis by @sfrantzman https://t.co/OjS2wfzETg
*Yemen's Houthis claim attack on ship in Gulf of Aden, say it could sink* https://t.co/TMnCetjYEN
A ship attacked by Houthi rebels has sunk in the Gulf of Aden https://t.co/wXlmZ10swV https://t.co/M9Wc2FEOuL
Crew abandon ship in most damaging strike yet by Yemen’s Houthis https://t.co/Yw68utxxzt
🇾🇪🇺🇸‼️🚨 YEMEN: An American MQ-9A Reaper drone was shot down in the Al-Hodeidah area. This is claimed by Ansar Allah (Houthis) and this video is published. Last year they already shot down a Reaper drone, since they fly often around Yemen. https://t.co/cQse2fBKL2
🇾🇪🇬🇧‼️🚨 HOUTHI SANCTIONS: "The ship suffered catastrophic damage and came to a complete halt" -> As I noticed before, the attacks on the ships who swim past Yemen are increasingly stronger. Looks like the first months they were warning and shooting missiles into the water,… https://t.co/Y5Fa0YuA1n https://t.co/Xo6YBm8ukc
#Yemen's Houthis say Rubymar cargo ship targeted, could sink #oott https://t.co/7PYxcUVCHy
UK-registered cargo ship reported under attack in Bab al-Mandab Strait, says Ambrey https://t.co/rc56VzuHOg
The crew of a UK-registered cargo ship in the Red Sea were evacuated after it was damaged in an attack by Iran-backed Houthi rebels https://t.co/OTUMa6emYZ
Houthi militants struck a commercial vessel’s engine room, causing the crew to abandon ship, the manager of the carrier says https://t.co/4cbV88hEpQ
🇾🇪🇺🇸⚡ The footage of an MQ-9 drone shot down by the Houthis near the city of Hodeidah. https://t.co/NdODge7fUV
***UPDATE*** Here -> https://t.co/zQNjUNv6KK Info on likely #Houthi / Iranian uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) Note that I do not think UUVs were used in the latest attack which 'sunk' the bulk carrier https://t.co/2rF38AxgTs
🇾🇪⚡ The Yemeni Armed Forces Spox' announced in his speech that they had downed an MQ-9 Reaper UAV. This marks the second such incident since the beginning of the war. The cost of each Reaper is roughly $32 million. https://t.co/3LjMDhQgtu https://t.co/yWChEf074g
Crew abandons ship after missile attack off the coast of Yemen. Despite near daily strikes by U.S. forces against Houthi rebels since Jan. 11, attacks on commercial shipping continue. https://t.co/joImallCRZ
🇾🇪⚡ Statement by the Yemeni Armed Forces regarding the targeting of the British ship “RUBYMAR” and the American “MQ-9 Reaper” UAV. https://t.co/zaQLd6U8WS
HOUTHI-HIT SHIP RUBYMAR WAS STRUCK IN ENGINE ROOM, MANAGER SAYS https://t.co/BtezJStBkF
BREAKING: Houthi rebels attack severely damages a Belize-flagged ship in Bab el-Mandeb Strait https://t.co/fxTQHh7fko
Yemen's Houthis say Rubymar cargo ship targeted, could sink https://t.co/OH6Chhc8xa https://t.co/ZGX8v6W4vb
Houthi rebels suspected in attack that damaged a Belize-flagged ship in Bab el-Mandeb Strait https://t.co/gTzfKvjZ9V
🚨🇺🇸 HOUTHIS CLAIM ATTACK ON UK SHIP AND U.S. DRONE Houthis reportedly struck the "Rubymar," a Belize-flagged, British-owned cargo ship with Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles in the Gulf of Aden, causing significant damage and forcing crew abandonment. They also say they downed a… https://t.co/vZp5Zq6bUK
#BREAKING Yemen's Houthis say they’ve shot down American MQ-9 UAV over Al Hudaydah. https://t.co/JHvRF5NG2Y
#Yemen’s #Houthis say they had targeted the ship #Rubymar in the Gulf of Aden and it is now at risk of sinking, the group’s military spokesperson Yahya Sarea says in a statement. https://t.co/cirVlN8YJi https://t.co/w00kaR9MaC
Claims of an MQ-9 Reaper UCAV downed over western Yemen. https://t.co/ekjko88wsN
Yemen's Houthis say they have targeted Rubymar ship in the Gulf of Aden - military spokesperson https://t.co/fHKdMRhodz
The #Yemeni armed forces shoot down an #American drone, #MQ9, in Al-#Hudaydah Governorate, western #Yemen #GAZA https://t.co/sgPO9uSiVb
Ship reportedly attacked near Yemen; US hits Houthi targets including undersea drone https://t.co/ccuvPyRSM5
UK cargo vessel under assault in Bab al-Mandab strait The Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital maritime route, witnessed an attack on a UK-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo ship by Yemen's Houthi group. The vessel, traveling from Khor Fakkan, UAE, to Varna, Bulgaria, altered its… https://t.co/aRaIpmIhhE
U.S. military reports 1st Houthi unmanned underwater vessel in Red Sea https://t.co/8b0m3JAhem
Maritime authorities investigate reported attack on UK-registered cargo ship near Yemen https://t.co/yCuVcEYFb1
A ship was attacked 35 miles (56km) south of Mokha, Yemen on 18 February, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. https://t.co/8F59HUf5jM
#UK-registered cargo ship reported under attack in Bab al-Mandab Strait, says Ambrey https://t.co/rc56VzuHOg
The Houthi Terrorist Group in Yemen is expected to announce an Escalation of Hostilities against the U.S-Led Maritime Coalition and Allied Arab Countries in a Statement within the next few hours.
American forces hit a Houthi underwater drone for the first time since the Iran-backed group started attacking commercial ships passing through the Red Sea, U.S. military says https://t.co/XYjH4ov6Wo
UK-Registered Cargo Ship Under Attack In Red Sea, Says Maritime Security Firm https://t.co/E5WMhprHod https://t.co/1852O0EMnE
Crew forced to abandoned ship after vessel struck off #Yemen. https://t.co/1nupnwXuOT
MARITIME SECURITY 🚨 ⚓️ Missile Attack - Bab el Mandeb. Crew have abandoned vessel. Belize-flagged MV RUBYMAR was struck likely with an Anti-Ship Ballisitc Missile while transiting northbound through the Bab el Mandeb en route to #Bulgaria after departing Khorfakkan in the… https://t.co/3jDGFWc0F2
Serious situation in the Red Sea as a significant fire is reported on the bulker M/V Rubymar after it was struck by a Houthi missile earlier today. The crew have abandoned the vessel. https://t.co/CP554PzNIF
A Significant Fire is reported to be Burning aboard the Belize-Flagged Commercial Shipping Vessel, M/V Rubymar after it was Struck earlier by a Houthi Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile while transiting North through the Bab al-Mandab Strait from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea; the… https://t.co/5JUPIRWzaA
According to UKMTO, the Attack earlier on the Belize-Flagged Commercial Shipping Vessel in the Bab al-Mandab Strait off the Coast of Yemen was reportedly more Serious than initially believed, with the Crew of the Vessel claimed to have now Abandoned Ship due to the Severity of… https://t.co/8S5o6vhNyF
BREAKING: Ship has been attacked near Yemen, with the crew forced to abandon the vessel.
BREAKING: Attack reported against vessel near Yemen. The crew have abandoned ship according to UKMTO https://t.co/xtD1sTVUTC
Navy Vice Admiral Brad Cooper.: The Houthis are the first entity in the history of the world to use anti-ship ballistic missiles ever." https://t.co/1wi4cxbqFu https://t.co/9JYa170kqr
🇾🇪🇮🇷 The Houthis are using Iranian-designed attack drones to target ships hundreds of miles away. Source: 60 Minutes: https://t.co/D926jZlZ6L
🚨🇾🇪 YEMENI HOUTHI STRIKE SHIP SAILING THROUGH THE BAB Al-MANDEB STRAIT Source: visegrad24 https://t.co/u2Cpk5iycc
BREAKING: The Houthis have just struck another vessel as it was sailing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The ship suffered “minor to moderate damages” when it was attacked near the city of Al-Mukha https://t.co/iUOyqlwZKZ
"U.S. military reports 1st Houthi unmanned underwater vessel in Red Sea." (via @CBSNews) https://t.co/jqNws1EWWu
The Houthis launched multiple missiles towards the Red Sea from Haifan District in #Taiz and Al-Sabrah District in #Ibb governorates central #Yemen, according to residents.
DUD DRONES: Friend of the @MriyaReport GMan @FAB87F informs that the US Navy destroyed an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) targeting shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis are rapidly discovering when you buy weapons from Iran-- you get what you pay for. https://t.co/xuQkS3f4nl
⚡️ LIVE POSITION • "RUBYMAR" • The Bulk Carrier attacked minutes ago is flying 🇧🇿 Belizean flag, registered in UK 🇬🇧 and operated by a Lebanese party 🇱🇧 (More infos ⬇️) https://t.co/2pt1wHYRLr
UK-registered cargo ship ‘under attack’ near Yemen – reports https://t.co/ERoLMpw7q7
British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Sunday that a Belize-flagged, UK-registered and Lebanese-operated open hatch general cargo ship reported being under attack in Bab al-Mandab Strait. https://t.co/JLk1HvmfpB
The U.S. has successfully carried out a round of airstrikes on Houthi vessels and anti-ship cruise missiles. https://t.co/Wk7d741Bfx
BREAKING: UK-registered cargo ship 'under attack' near Yemen https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/qJGtU1lhep
British company Ambrey: A cargo ship flying the Belizean flag, registered in Britain and operated by a Lebanese party reports being attacked in the Bab el-Mandab Strait. https://t.co/sZSTenX8YQ
🔴 OPEN HATCH GENERAL CARGO SHIP OPERATED BY LEBANESE COMPANY AMBREY REPORTED UNDER ATTACK IN BAB AL-MANDEB STRAIT.
U.S. Strikes Multiple Houthi Targets—Including Apparent Underwater Attack Vessel https://t.co/A9cXSMwe2x https://t.co/5nZMNdlzxx
Important: Houthis have underwater drones now. https://t.co/WrFLp7Dapt
US launches 5 airstrikes against Houthi anti-ship missiles, destroys underwater drone https://t.co/2E0N6eYjPS
Yemen’s Houthis tried to use an unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) for the first time. It was destroyed by CENTCOM assets in the region. 📸 Houthi forces capturing a US Navy operated REMUS 600 UUV https://t.co/ZkkM1v4iKN
US Conducts 5 "Self-Defence" Strikes On Houthi Weapons Systems In Red Sea https://t.co/awisXUbZt9 https://t.co/9uzwvQqhIl
#Breaking: US Central Command destroys two unmanned Houthi submarines, marking the first use of this Iranian-made type by the group. https://t.co/3VQPH6HGFQ
#Yemen: Houthis used an unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) - "first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in Oct. 23" https://t.co/IYWqI4wiza
In a first, the US military confirms the Houthis attempted to employ an underwater sea drone in attacks off Yemen’s coast. US strikes preemptively destroyed an anti-ship cruise missile, an unmanned surface vessel and an unmanned underwater drone in Houthi-controlled areas y’day. https://t.co/n39FEcXWds
The Houthis are now using unmanned underwater vessels to attack ships in the Red Sea, in addition to ongoing missile and drone attacks. https://t.co/TqEcGgNek0
U.S. forces destroy an underwater drone launched from the Houthis in Yemen. https://t.co/ZLv6zf4yav
Houthis Claim Another Strike on an Oil Tanker in the Red Sea https://t.co/1xKi5I1dUf
US says its forces strike unmanned surface vessel, anti-ship cruise missile near Yemen #oott https://t.co/uKglNk8V5s
US says its forces strike unmanned surface vessel, anti-ship cruise missile near Yemen https://t.co/riQU4OfhZb
🇺🇸• SUMMARY of the statement issued by U.S. CENTCOM: • Four anti-ship ballistic missiles launched by AnsarAllah into the Red Sea. • Three of the missiles were launched towards commercial vessel MT Pollux, a Panamanian-flagged, Denmark-owned, Panamanian-registered vessel.… https://t.co/2Qj7tn8vGr
Feb. 16 Summary of Red Sea activities From 1:15 p.m. (Sanaa time), Feb. 16, to 1 a.m., Feb 17, four anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Red Sea. It is assessed that at least three of the missiles were launched… https://t.co/6OJzgYWBwr