This Image Of a Burning Vessel Is Old And Does Not Show a Houthi Attack
The Claim
An image shows a ship that was attacked by Houthis.
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Emerging story
Concerns over escalating tensions in the Red Sea have been ignited by a viral image circulating on social media, supposedly depicting a Houthi attack on a tanker off Yemen's coast. The image shows a vessel engulfed in flames and billowing smoke.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating image and found the claim to be misleading.
The Photo is Unrelated to the Gaza War
Misbar's team found that the image dates back to 2019 and has no connections to Houthis or the Gaza war.
According to a report from the USA Today news website, the photograph was captured from the Iranian News Agency ISNA on June 13, 2019 and depicts a Norwegian-owned tanker named Front Altair engulfed in fire and smoke following an attack in the Gulf of Oman.
The incident involved suspected attacks on two tankers, causing them to ignite. Iran played a role in rescuing the distressed crew members.
International Warning Issued as Yemen Rebels Persist in Targeting Red Sea Shipping
The claim surfaced following the news that a group of 12 states, including the U.S., U.K., and several others, have issued a joint statement warning Yemeni rebels of dire consequences if they continue their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The mainly Western countries called for an immediate halt to these assaults. However, the rebels, known as the Houthis, have responded defiantly, pledging to persist in targeting vessels they believe are connected to Israel. This impasse has created a tense situation in the strategically vital southern Red Sea region.
The Bab al-Mandab strait, a critical waterway responsible for nearly 15% of global trade, now faces potential disruptions if the attacks persist. There are concerns that fuel prices will increase, and supply chains will suffer damage. Since November, the rebels have launched over 20 attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, utilizing missiles, drones, fast boats, and helicopters. Often falsely claiming that the targeted ships have Israeli links.
While U.S. and British warships have intercepted some of the missiles, they have refrained from attacking targets within Yemen itself. However, this stance might be subject to change. The 12-state coalition, consisting of Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, and the US, condemned the attacks on shipping as "illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing," asserting that there is no justifiable reason to intentionally target civilian and naval vessels.
An armed response is likely to involve military action against Houthi bases, boats, and weapons. American, British, and French warships stationed in the Red Sea possess the capability to intercept Houthi missiles and drones. However, this approach is proving costly, and there is no guarantee of successfully neutralizing every single threat, especially if the rebels opt for a "swarm" attack by launching multiple drones and missiles simultaneously.
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