Greek Ship 'Tutour' Sustains 'Severe Damage' in Houthi Attack

The United States military confirmed on Wednesday evening reports of an attack by Houthi rebels on a Greek cargo ship, stating that U.S. forces also inflicted damage on Houthi positions that day. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that Iranian-backed Houthi militants targeted the Greek ship 'Tutour,' which was sailing under the Liberian flag, in the Red Sea using an unmanned boat. According to the statement, the Houthi attack destroyed the engine room of the 'Tutour' and caused significant water ingress. CENTCOM noted that the Greek ship 'Tutour' is now likely docked on the shores of Russia. The Houthis announced on Wednesday that they had targeted the Greek ship near the port of Hodeidah in the Red Sea with unmanned boats, drones, and missiles, causing severe damage and raising the possibility of the ship sinking. The British Commercial Operations Organization also reported that a small white boat, measuring 5 to 7 meters in length, collided with the hull of the cargo ship, which was carrying coal. Over the past seven months, Houthi rebels have conducted hundreds of attacks on commercial vessels in the region, claiming to support Palestinians and alleging that these ships have ties to Israel. However, Greek shipping officials stated that the 'Tutour' was en route to India. CENTCOM further stated that on Wednesday, the Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Red Sea, but the U.S. military received no reports of damage to coalition or commercial vessels. The statement added that U.S. forces destroyed three cruise missile launchers and one drone belonging to the Houthis that was flying over the Red Sea in the past 24 hours. Houthi attacks on international shipping in key routes of the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden have led shipping companies to often alter their routes, opting for a much longer and costlier path around Africa.