Footage has emerged showing an armed security team aboard a civilian commercial vessel in the Red Sea successfully engaging and destroying a Houthi explosive USV with small arms fire moments before it struck the stern. The cameraman appears to have a close call with shrapnel from the explosion. 

The exact timing of the incident and the identity of the vessel are unclear. Some reports claim the armed crew are Ukrainian guards, but SOFX has not been able to independently verify this. The Houthis have increased USV use in recent months, sinking at least one other commercial vessel.

A Houthi drone boat is intercepted and blown up in the Gulf of Aden before it reaches its target! pic.twitter.com/r9bPqCheWz

— George Ballas (@G_Ballas) July 23, 2024