Houthi attacks Chinese oil tanker in Red Sea

In a statement on social network X today, March 24, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the Chinese-owned and operated Huang Pu ship, flying the Panamanian flag, sent a distress signal but did not request assistance, according to AFP.

CENTCOM and the Royal Navy's UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a fire broke out on board the Huang Pu but was extinguished within 30 minutes. UKMTO added that the incident occurred 23 nautical miles west of the Yemeni port of Mokha.

"There were no reports of casualties and the ship continued its journey," CENTCOM said.

According to CENTCOM, the Houthis launched four anti-ship ballistic missiles in the Red Sea near the Huang Pu before the fifth one hit the ship. "The Houthis attacked the MV Huang despite their previous statements that they would not attack Chinese vessels," CENTCOM stressed.

This photo taken on March 23 shows the partially submerged cargo ship Rubymar off the coast of Yemen, following a Houthi missile attack.

CENTCOM added that after the attack on the Huang Pu, US forces engaged six drones launched by the Houthis, five of which crashed into the Red Sea and the sixth flew into Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.

There is currently no information about the reaction of Houthi or China to the above accusations and statements of CENTCOM.

The Houthis have vowed to target Israeli, British and US ships, as well as vessels heading to Israeli ports, disrupting traffic along the vital Red Sea trade route.

The United States, which leads an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea, has been striking Houthi targets in Yemen since mid-January.

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