UK Maritime Security Agency: Houthis Mistakenly Targeted Russian Oil Tanker

On Friday, Houthi militants mistakenly targeted a Russian oil tanker off the coast of Yemen with a missile attack. Ambrey, a UK maritime risk consultancy, reported receiving information about a missile launch 90 nautical miles (167 kilometers) southeast of the Yemeni port city of Aden. According to Ambrey, this was the second Russian oil tanker mistakenly targeted by the Houthis. The Iran-backed Houthi militants, who control most of Yemen, have launched a wave of attacks on Western commercial vessels in the Red Sea since November 19. The United States and the UK targeted Houthi command and control sites and missile launch platforms in Yemen with missile and air strikes on Thursday night. Russia, an ally of the Islamic Republic, condemned these attacks and called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. Ambrey's assessment indicates that the ship was mistakenly targeted based on outdated public information that identified it as British. The report states, 'It appeared that this information was from five months ago, but it is still listed as a British-affiliated vessel in public maritime databases.' On Friday morning, January 22, US and UK forces targeted sites used by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen that were involved in attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The two countries conducted a retaliatory and extensive strike using Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, bombing Houthi positions. In this context, the US Air Force Central Command announced that over 60 targets in 16 areas in Yemen, including command and control positions, ammunition depots, rocket launch systems, and radar systems, were targeted in the Friday morning attacks. The Houthis confirmed attacks in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, as well as in the cities of Saada and Dhamar, and in the Hodeidah province. Eyewitnesses told Reuters that the US and UK targeted a military base near Sanaa airport, a military position near Taiz airport, the Houthi naval base in Hodeidah, and military positions in Hajjah province. US President Joe Biden stated that the purpose of the attacks on Houthi positions was to 'ensure freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways' and added that these attacks were 'a direct response to the unprecedented Houthi attacks on vessels in international routes.' The Houthis claimed that 11 militants were killed and wounded in the US and UK attacks. The US Air Force reported that 60 Houthi military targets in Yemen were attacked. CENTCOM Commander stated that the Houthis and their Iranian supporters are responsible for illegal attacks in the region. Associated Press reported increased concerns about the onset of a 'full-scale war' in the region. A global container shipping giant warned its customers about the potential for 'major disruption.' Blinken is discussing increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza and preventing the escalation of tensions in the region. The Houthis have attacked another cargo ship; CENTCOM reported no damage.