Houthi Rebels Sink Bulk Carrier in the Red Sea, US Navy Leads Rescue
Naval authorities announced Wednesday that the bulk carrier attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea last week has sunk.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO), which coordinates communication between civilian and military vessels worldwide, confirmed the sinking of the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned and operated ship, Tutor. “Military authorities report maritime debris and oil sighted in the last reported location,” the UKMTO stated.
About a week ago, a drone and a speedboat rigged with explosives struck the ship, prompting the US Navy to lead a rescue operation that saved most of the sailors. However, White House national security spokesman John Kirby revealed during a press briefing on Monday that the attack killed “a crew member who hailed from the Philippines.”
Since November, the Iran-backed Houthi naval campaign has sunk the Tutor for the second time. Violence between the Houthis and US-aligned forces has escalated in recent weeks, with US Central Command reporting Wednesday that it has destroyed at least nine Houthi drones in and around Yemen.
The US and its allies have carried out airstrikes targeting Houthi military infrastructure since January.
