Houthi Attack on M/T Cordelia Moon: Unmanned Surface Vessel Strikes in the Red Sea (Video)
Iranian-backed Houthis have released new video footage showing an attack on the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Cordelia Moon using an unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Red Sea.
The attack took place on October 1 and involved multiple missile strikes alongside the USV hit. At the time, the vessel was unladen and in ballast condition. According to the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), the Cordelia Moon was navigating the southern Red Sea, about 64 nautical miles from Al Hudaydah, Yemen, when it was targeted. The ship’s Master detailed the sequence of the attack:
- At 0150 UTC, three projectiles landed near the ship’s port bow.
- At 0253 UTC, a fourth projectile splashed approximately 100 meters from the aft starboard quarter.
- At 0500 UTC, the USV struck the vessel on its port side.
JMIC confirmed that while the Cordelia Moon sustained damage, it did not require assistance, and all crew members are reported safe as the ship continues to its next port of call. The attack was likely motivated by the vessel’s operational affiliations.
The current threat assessment indicates that vessels associated with Israeli, United States, or United Kingdom entities are at the highest risk. Additionally, ships connected to companies that have made port calls in Israel are also considered potential targets.
As tensions in the Red Sea escalate, this incident highlights the dangers faced by vessels and their crews in the region, particularly those linked to countries viewed as adversaries by the Houthi rebels.