Houthi Forces Attack Two Merchant Ships in the Gulf of Aden: MV Verbena and MV Tutor

Yemen
Houthi forces attacked two merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden on June 13, 2024.
Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack as retaliation against international actions.
MV Tutor, a Greek-owned coal carrier was hit by a drone boat bomb off Hodeida coast on June 12, 2024. The Filipinos among its crew were reportedly safe.
MV Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier was hit by two anti-ship cruise missiles and one crew member was severely injured.
The attack caused significant damage to the vessel and it continued to fight fires while attempting containment. MV Verbena was carrying wood construction material from Malaysia to Italy when attacked, about 129 nautical miles east of Yemen.
Houthi Forces Attack Two Merchant Ships in the Gulf of Aden: MV Verbena and MV Tutor

In the Gulf of Aden on June 13, 2024, Houthi forces launched multiple attacks against merchant ships. One of these attacks targeted the Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier MV Verbena. The ship was carrying wood construction material from Malaysia to Italy when it was hit by two anti-ship cruise missiles.

The attack caused significant damage to the vessel and resulted in one civilian mariner being severely injured. The crew continued to fight the resulting fires while attempting to contain the damage.

According to reports, MV Verbena was about 129 nautical miles east of Yemen when it was attacked. This incident marks one of several attacks by Houthi forces against merchant ships in the region since November 2023, causing a significant drop in traffic through the Red Sea.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack and stated that it was in retaliation to international actions against their group. However, it is important to note that this claim should be taken with skepticism due to potential biases from both sides.

Another merchant ship, MV Tutor, was attacked on June 12, 2024. This Greek-owned coal carrier was hit by a drone boat bomb off the coast of Hodeida and required rescue assistance. The Filipinos among its crew were reportedly safe.

These attacks highlight the ongoing instability in the region and the risks associated with maritime transportation in these waters. It is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize diplomacy and de-escalation efforts to prevent further harm to civilians and infrastructure.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • It is important to verify the exact location and time of the attacks as reported.
  • The Houthis' claim of responsibility should be taken with skepticism due to potential biases from both sides.

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

CENTCOM: Houthis Hit Merchant Ship with Multiple Missiles in Gulf of Aden

U.S Naval Institute News Sam LaGrone Thursday, 13 June 2024 21:21
  • Unique Points
    • Houthis hit MV Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo ship with two anti-ship cruise missiles in the Gulf of Aden
    • One civilian mariner was severely injured during the attack and had to be medevaced for medical attention
    • Houthis have attacked 18 ships since November 2023, causing a 90% drop in traffic through the Red Sea according to DIA
  • Accuracy
    • The Houthis have launched over 50 attacks on shipping since November
    • Three staff members of the National Democratic Institute were detained by the Houthis earlier in June
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Sailor injured, cargo ship ablaze after missile attack by Yemen’s Houthis

Al Jazeera Media Network Al Jazeera Friday, 14 June 2024 07:34
  • Unique Points
    • Two cruise missiles struck the M/V Verbena in the Gulf of Aden, causing damage and subsequent fires on board.
    • One civilian mariner was severely injured during the attack.
    • The Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group, claimed responsibility for the attack.
  • Accuracy
    • The Houthis have been targeting vessels with alleged Israeli links in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023.
    • Three staff members of the National Democratic Institute were detained by the Houthis earlier in June.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Ship hit twice in apparent Houthi cruise missile attack off Yemeni coast

Fox News Media Associated Press Friday, 14 June 2024 07:34
  • Unique Points
    • A commercial ship, M/V Verbena, was struck twice by Houthi-fired cruise missiles in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday.
    • One civilian mariner was severely injured in the attack and flown by a US helicopter for medical treatment.
  • Accuracy
    • The Houthis have launched over 50 attacks on shipping since November.
    • The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has killed over 36,000 Palestinians and hundreds of others since October 2021.
    • Three staff members of the National Democratic Institute were detained by the Houthis earlier in June.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

85%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Houthis just scored their first drone boat hit on a Red Sea ship

Business Insider Jake Epstein Friday, 14 June 2024 07:35
  • Unique Points
    • The Houthis used an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to strike a commercial ship, M/V Tutor, in the Red Sea on Wednesday.
    • The impact of the USV caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room of the M/V Tutor.
  • Accuracy
    • M/V Verbena was carrying wood construction material from Malaysia to Italy at the time of the attack.
    • One civilian mariner was severely injured during the attack on M/V Verbena.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. It cites the US military and United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations as sources of information, which is valid but does not detract from the inflammatory language used throughout. For example, referring to the Houthis as 'Iran-backed rebels' and describing their attacks on shipping lanes as a 'monthslong campaign' creates a sense of urgency and danger without providing evidence for these claims.
    • The Iran-backed rebels have employed USVs, also known as naval drones or drone boats, as part of their attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, but they have been unable to actually score a hit with one until now.
    • The current status of the vessel that was hit is unclear.
    • The string of attacks comes after the Pentagon recently extended the deployment of the US Navy carrier strike group that's been battling the Houthis, as American intelligence officials warn that the conflict may go on for a while.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication