This Video Falsely Links Ship Incident to Houthi Attack
The Claim
THE FOREIGN SHIP BOWS BEFORE THE HOUTHI WARRIORS⚡️🔥🫡⚔️ The #Houthis swore that they would not stop striking hard upon foreign ships until the #Israelis stop bombing #Gaza.
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Emerging story
Amid escalating tensions between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and the United States, social media users have been circulating a video claiming to show a ship being attacked by the Houthis.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating video and found the claim to be misleading.
Video From June 2020 Of Stellar Banner Scuttled off Brazilian Coast
Misbar's team found that the video, recorded in June 2020, depicts the scuttling of the ore carrier Stellar Banner following a hull inspection that deemed the vessel unseaworthy. This incident was not a result of a Houthi attack.
U.S. Forces Strike Houthi Radars to Protect Red Sea Shipping
Late this week, U.S. forces conducted attacks on Houthi radars that were facilitating assaults on ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed group, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM reported that the U.S. military destroyed seven radars in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. These radars had enabled the Houthis to target maritime vessels, posing a significant threat to commercial shipping. The strikes were in response to a Wednesday attack by the Houthis on a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned ship, resulting in severe flooding and damage to its engine room. One civilian mariner is missing from the incident. The ship's crew abandoned ship and was rescued by U.S. and partner forces, including the USS Philippine Sea.
The damaged cargo ship remains in the Red Sea, taking on water and drifting from its last reported position, as noted by the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations. In addition to targeting the radars, U.S. forces also destroyed one uncrewed aerial system launched from Yemen and two uncrewed surface vessels in the Red Sea, according to CENTCOM.
The Houthis have launched numerous missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since Israel initiated its invasion of Gaza.
U.S. Navy Rescues Mariners After Houthi Attacks on Cargo Ships In The Red Sea
On June 12, the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo carrier was struck by a Houthi uncrewed surface vessel in the international waters of the Southern Red Sea. The attack caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room, leaving one civilian mariner missing.
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74 airlifted 24 civilian mariners from the Tutor to the USS Philippine Sea, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser. Helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron then transported the mariners to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for medical evaluation. The mariners were subsequently flown ashore for further care.
Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander of Carrier Strike Group 2, praised the rescue efforts, stating, “We are always prepared to help; it is the right thing to do.” Capt. Steven Liberty of the USS Philippine Sea emphasized their readiness to ensure maritime safety despite the attacks on innocent mariners.
On June 13, HSM-74 aircraft from the Philippine Sea also medically evacuated a severely injured civilian mariner from the Palau-flagged, Ukrainian-owned M/V Verbena. The Verbena was struck by two anti-ship cruise missiles from Houthi-controlled territory while sailing in the Gulf of Aden.
The IKE Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the US 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime stability and security in the Middle East.
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