Yemeni Houthi rebels attack oil tanker

Yemeni Houthi rebels have released a video of an attack they claim to have carried out on an oil tanker in the Red Sea.

The footage shows a small vessel approach, then collide with the left side of the ship, resulting in a large explosion.

BBC Verify has confirmed that the tanker seen in the video is the CHIOS Lion by comparing the video to known images of the vessel.

Ship-tracking data shows that the CHIOS Lion set off from the Russian port of Tuapse on 2 July and entered the Red Sea on 11 July.

There is no tracking data available of its journey through the Red Sea, but the timing and location of the strike on 15 July, as reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), is consistent with the speed and direction in which the tanker was travelling.

Houthi rebels have launched dozens of attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November – shortly after the Israel-Gaza war began.

The Houthis consider Israel an enemy, and initially said they were attacking ships connected with Israel, or heading to or from there. However, many of the vessels have had no connection with Israel.

More recently, the Houthis have targeted ships tied to owners or operators in the UK or US, after those nations launched strikes on Houthi positions.

Major shipping companies have stopped using the Red Sea – through which almost 15% of global seaborne trade usually passes – and are using a much longer route around southern Africa instead.