Houthis Take Responsibility for Attack on Oil Tanker

(TotalConservative.com) – Yemeni Houthis propped up with Iranian support claimed responsibility for an attack on the oil tanker the M/T Pollux. The large shipping vessel was hit by a missile on Saturday, February 17.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea put out a statement acknowledging that they were responsible for the attack, calling it a “targeted operation,” and highlighting the vessel’s alleged affiliation with England.

U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) said that four missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled positions in Yemen over the course of several hours on February 16. They said that at least three of the missiles were aimed at the M/T Pollux which they said was owned by a company from Denmark, flying Panamanian flags and registered in Panama. No one was injured in the attacks.

The State Department acknowledged the attacks on February 16 after they occurred and suggested that the vessel was shipping crude oil and was heading for India when it took a missile on the port side. It originated from the Russian city of Novorossiysk on January 24 and was scheduled to arrive in Paradip, India on February 28.

The Houthis have been engaged in regular strikes against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea near Yemen. They claim to be targeting Israel-affiliated ships, but that has been contested by observers. They seem to be attacking anyone within range or mischaracterizing vessels as associated with their enemies.

The ongoing strikes earned retaliation from U.S. and British forces, attacking what they say are weapons depots, launch sites, and weapons systems. The U.S. recently announced the destruction of an unmanned boat and submersible which took place during strikes on February 17.

U.S. Naval forces also boarded a vessel and confiscated numerous weapons, including parts for missiles and drones on January 28. USCENTCOM said that the shipment was heading for the Houthis and originated in Iran. The Iranians have been accused of supporting militias in the region who then use the weapons against U.S. forces or its allies.