Houthis Launch USV Explosive Boats, Dangers In The Red Sea Are Increasing

UNSPLASH/Yannick Pulver ILLUSTRATION

Yemen's LONDON - Houthis sent a drone / USV boat containing explosives into the Red Sea when they intensified attacks on merchant ships.

Houthi militants allied with Iran first launched drone and missile attacks on trade routes in November 2023.

The Houthis said the attack was solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. In more than 70 attacks, they had sunk two ships, seized another ship and killed three sailors.

Reported by Reuters on Wednesday, July 3, in recent weeks, three ships were attacked by USV and in one incident that caused the sinking of the Tutor cargo ship. There was no such activity in November.

This USV, equipped with explosives, represents sophisticated changes in asymmetric war tactics, enabling Houthis to strike precisely and remotely, thereby minimizing their exposure to counter-attacks, Dimitris Maniatis, CEO of Maritime Risk Manager MARISS.

According to maritime security sources and Reuters analysis, there have been at least six defensive attacks against USV by US-led coalition warships since February.