Houthi failures lead to VHF harassment

Houthi attacks on shipping have been widespread and deadly but not always accurate, according to security firm Dryad Global, which reports a new tactic by the Yemeni group that involves harassing crew via VHF radio. According to Dryad Global, the Antigua & Barbuda flagged container ship Rotterdam Trader was threatened via VHF while transiting the Gulf of Aden, 75 nautical miles southwest of Aden on 29 June. The vessel was operating with its AIS transponder active when it received a VHF transmission from Houthi authorities “requesting the vessel's information via email or risk becoming their next target. After complying, the vessel left the threat area.”

“This is the first reported case of a vessel complying with a Yemeni authorities' information request, specifically via email. Previous VHF harassment had consisted of demanding that the vessel change course and surrender to a Yemeni port. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) advised not to comply and to increase speed,” said Dryad Global.

According to the security company, the Houthis are confirming vessel details prior to attacks, in an effort to avoid hitting ships heading for friendly nations.

Scarlett Suarez, senior intelligence analyst at Dryad Global, noted: “In recent weeks, multiple Houthi strikes have targeted vessels carrying supplies for Houthi allies, most notably Iran.” In effect, Suarez argues the Houthis have targeted any vessel that is within their reach or that could be an easy target.

 “The majority of these vessels had no affiliation with Israel/UK/US and were not transporting goods for/to/from these countries,” concluded Suarez, who urges vessel operators not to comply with Houthi demands as they try to harass and scare crew into meeting their demands. “Complying with any Houthi demands would legitimize their harassment,” claimed Suarez, who added, “They [the Houthis] have no legal authority to question any vessel.”

Dryad believes that by complying with Houthi demands, the group would use the information to exploit and hijack vessels at will. Suarez references the case of the Galaxy Leader hijacking in November last year, which was boarded and detained, with the crew still held hostage in Yemen to this day.

“Any compliance with the Houthis could lead to crew and vessels getting hijacked and kidnapped. Even if a vessel complies with Houthi’s demands for information there is no guarantee they will not attack. Negotiating with terrorists is a dangerous gamble that will endanger crews and ships further,” said Suarez. The tactic used to harass the Rotterdam Trader crew operates with another evolution of Houthi tactics, with the use of motherships to launch attacks using groups of uncrewed service vessels (USVs).

The first attack from a mothership was seen last month with the Tutor, falling victim to a USV, with the attack proving fatal to one crewman. Last Sunday’s incident involving the 72,000dwt bulker Summer Lady, was described by Dryad Global who said the vessel was “approached by 12 small craft, including fast boats and smaller kayak-style boats, some of which were USVs.”

The security firm pointed out: “Using a combination [of USVs] makes it more difficult to determine which ones carry explosives. The Houthis can launch attacks from a distance using unmanned vessels, making it difficult for their targets to defend themselves. Furthermore, unmanned vessels can be used to gather intelligence and conduct surveillance on enemy ships.”