Recently, a harrowing incident unfolded in the Red Sea, where armed guards made valiant but ultimately futile attempts to intercept a drone boat packed with explosives.
This remote-controlled vessel, piloted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, collided with the Panama-flagged tanker Cordelia Moon, creating a catastrophic scene.
Video footage captured the dramatic moments as guards attempted to shoot down the approaching drone boat, only for it to strike the side of the ship, causing a massive explosion.
The Explosion and Aftermath
On Tuesday, as the Cordelia Moon sailed through the waters, the drone boat breached its hull, resulting in a gaping hole.
Flames erupted, engulfing the tanker, while thick clouds of black smoke billowed into the sky.
Fortunately, the crew aboard reported that they were unharmed.
A captain from a nearby vessel noted hearing four loud splashes at the time of the attack, which are believed to have been missiles missing their target and landing harmlessly in the sea.
Claims of Responsibility and Broader Context
The Iran-backed Houthis quickly claimed responsibility for the assault, which involved not just the drone boat but also an aerial drone and eight missiles.
Earlier in the week, another ship, a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier headed to the Suez Canal, suffered significant damage from a missile strike about 110 miles northwest of Hodeidah.
These attacks mark a worrying escalation in the Houthis’ military actions against commercial vessels, raising concerns that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon could spiral into a wider regional war.
Escalation of Military Actions
Just a day prior, the Houthis had warned of increased military operations against Israel following reports that its forces had downed an American military drone over Yemen.
As tensions rise, Israel has continued its aggressive military actions in Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza.
The Israeli Air Force conducted severe strikes overnight near Beirut Airport, targeting Hezbollah’s leadership after the death of former chief Hassan Nasrallah.
In these strikes, the Israeli forces employed Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), designed to penetrate deep into underground facilities.
Casualties and Ongoing Conflict
Recent reports indicate that the Israeli military’s strikes resulted in at least 18 casualties in the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank, where they claimed to have targeted a Hamas leader involved in various attacks.
This escalation of violence and military activity in the region poses serious questions about what might come next, as both sides brace for further conflict amid rising tensions.