Two Ships Damaged In Attack Near Yemen

Two vessels near the Yemeni Red Sea port of Hodeidah were damaged early Tuesday after being hit by missiles and a naval drone, maritime security agencies and sources monitoring the region reported.

Both ships reported their crews were safe.

The M/T Cordelia Moon, a Panama-flagged tanker, reported being struck by an unmanned surface vessel 64 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UK Trade).

The ship was in ballast and had damage to its port tanks, according to UK security firm Embry and the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC), which added that the vessel was heading to its next port of call.

The ship had previously reported four sites spotted in the waters near it, which a maritime security source said were sites of attempted missile attacks.

Embry and maritime security sources said the second ship, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, was damaged after being hit by a missile about 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah. The company said it was heading to the Suez Canal.

Authorities are investigating both incidents.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement later claimed responsibility for the attack on the Cordelia Moon, saying it was hit by eight ballistic and cruise missiles, a drone, and an unmanned surface vessel.

It also said it attacked a third ship, the Marathonpolis, in the Indian Ocean with drones and cruise missiles.

The Houthis have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.