HSV-2 Swift. DoD photo by Lt. Cmdr. Corey Barker, U.S. Navy. (Released)
Houthi Forces Destroyed US-made Military Vessel Leased by UAE (Video above)
The Houthi forces have reportedly destroyed a US-made military vessel in a missile attack off the shores of the Red Sea port city of Mokha, Yemen. The incident was reported on October 1.
The HSV-2 Swift hybrid catamaran formerly belonged to the United States Navy but then was leased to the United Arab Emirates Navy. The vessel used to take part in the ongoing naval blockade of the Houthi-controlled coastal area of Yemen.
The HSV-2 Swift was a high-speed logistical ship capable of locating mines, controlling military operations and transporting troops and equipment.
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Photos Show Catastrophic Damage to ‘HSV Swift’ Following Missile Attack
October 5, 2016 by Mike Schuler
Photo credit: Emirates News Agency The Emirates News Agency has just released pictures showing damage to the HSV Swift after it was destroyed by an anti-ship missile on Saturday.
The HSV Swift was on a humanitarian mission in the Red Sea when it was targeted by Yemen’s Houthi group in a missile attack near the Bab al-Mandab strait off Yemen, a key chokepoint for ships transiting between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal.
Photo credit: Emirates News Agency The ship is owned by UAE Marine Dredging Company but was chartered by the United Arab Emirates military when the attack occurred.
The Houthis said on Saturday that their forces had destroyed a UAE military vessel that was advancing towards the Red Sea port of Al-Mokha.
Photo credit: Emirates News Agency Photos released Wednesday show the vessel was completely destroyed but still afloat. Meanwhile a video has been circulating online since this weekend allegedly shows clips from the attack.
Media reports say no crew were injured in the attack. Hard to believe, though. The Saudis and their allies never admit any casualties.
The HSV Swift is an aluminum-hulled high-speed catamaran built in 2003 by Incat in Tasmania, Australia. The ship spent its first decade under charter by the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command. It was sold to the UAE in 2013.
Photo credit: Emirates News Agency