Houthis attacked a tanker in the Red Sea, sailing from Russia to China

16 July, 2024 Tanker MT Bentley I. Photo from open sources The Yemeni Houthis attacked two tankers in the Red Sea, one of which was going from Russia to China.

The U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) reported on this. First, a Panama-flagged tanker, MT Bentley I, which was transporting oil from Russia to China, was attacked.

The ship reportedly belongs to Israel and was operated by Monaco. In this attack, the Houthis used three surface vessels: one uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and two small boats. Later, the Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen over the Red Sea toward MT Bentley I.

Tanker MT Bentley I.

Photo from open sources

CENTCOM said that no damage or injuries have been reported at this time. Separately, the Houthis attacked MT Chios Lion, a Liberian-flagged, Marshall Islands-owned, Greek-operated crude oil tanker with a USV in the Red Sea. The USV caused damage, but MT Chios Lion has not requested assistance.

No injuries have been reported at this time. In June, the Houthis attacked a Ukrainian-Polish ship in the Red Sea.

Bulk carrier M/V Verdena for the coast of Somalia. Photo credits: Bengt-rune Inberg

The attack was carried out with the use of Iranian-Chinese anti-ship missiles that were launched at the ship.

As a result of the attack, one of the crew members was seriously wounded.

He was evacuated aboard the USS Philippine Sea missile cruiser of the US Navy.

Currently, the United States, together with the ships of other countries' navies, are escorting civilian vessels to protect them from missile attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis.