Attacks on Liberian Oil Tanker in Bab el-Mandeb Strait: A Comprehensive Analysis

On Friday, June 9, 2023, four suspected attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted a Liberian-flagged oil tanker, the Delta Blue, in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial waterway connecting the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea.

The attacks come amid ongoing tensions between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition supported by the United States. The Houthis have been waging war against the Yemeni government and the coalition, controlling much of the country’s north and west.

The first attack involved a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fired from a small craft towards the Delta Blue. The RPG exploded near the tanker, but no damage or injuries were reported.

The second attack occurred shortly after, with a missile “exploding in close proximity to the vessel,” according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations center (UKMTO). The vessel and crew were reported to be safe.

The third attack, the most dramatic, involved a drone boat loaded with explosives. The drone boat approached the Delta Blue intending to attach itself to the tanker’s hull and detonate.

Private security guards on board the ship detected the drone boat and opened fire. They successfully destroyed the vehicle, preventing the explosion and potentially saving the tanker and its crew from significant damage or casualties.

A fourth attack involved another suspected Houthi missile that splashed in the water near the vessel, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center.

The Houthis have not immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they have carried out similar attacks in the past. The Houthis maintain that their attacks target ships linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom as part of a campaign to force an end to the war in Yemen.

However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, and it’s unclear what strategic objective the Houthis aim to achieve with these attacks.

The attacks on the Delta Blue highlight the ongoing security challenges in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical waterway for international trade and energy supplies.

The United States has deployed F-22 Raptor fighter jets to the Middle East to address threats posed by Iran and Iranian-backed groups, including the Houthis.

The United States has also carried out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, including an attack that destroyed two Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles, a ground control station, and a drone boat in the Red Sea.

The ongoing tensions in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait raise concerns about the safety of shipping and the potential for a wider conflict in the region.