TGA0714 – Houthis Threaten Oil Tankers with Loitering Munitions, Southern Yemen

On November 9, 2022, a Houthi loitering munition initiated next to an oil tanker attempting to dock at the port of Qena, in Yemen’s Shabwah Governorate. The attack, which resulted in two injuries and minor damage to the tanker, was the latest in a series of similar incidents at sea ports along the southern coast of Yemen, constituting a new Houthi TTP specifically targeting oil tankers used to import and export oil on behalf of former President Hadi’s government, perceived by the Houthis as damaging to the economy of the country, by creating a deterrence effect with minimum damage and loss of life. Apart from the evident threat to maritime traffic, inspired by similar loitering munition attacks carried out by Iran, this TTP has the potential to escalate and cause greater damage to oil tankers in the Arabian Peninsula in the case of direct hits.