The Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) published footage of its attack on the CHIOS LION crude oil tanker in the Red Sea. 

The YAF's Navy had directed an explosive-laden unmanned surface vehicle (USV) toward the vessel after its operating company violated the terms of the Yemeni embargo on the Israeli occupation. 

Maritime security-concerned UKMTO said that the CHIOS LION was approached by a USV from its port side. The organization said that the USV caused damage and white smoke to erupt from the vessel. However, it made no further updates. 

The video published by the YAF shows a powerful explosion resulting from the USV's detonation into the left side of the oil tanker. It is worth noting that in the footage the YAF blurred out the USV, aiming to hide its specification, and that its type was not designated in any statement made by the armed forces. 

مشاهد لعملية استهداف سفينة "CHIOS Lion" النفطية التي استهدفتها القوات المسلحة اليمنية يوم أمس بزورق مسير في البحر الأحمر لانتهاك الشركة المالكة لها قرار حظر الدخول إلى موانئ فلسطين المحتلة.#معركة_الفتح_الموعود_والجهاد_المقدس pic.twitter.com/aUKDhfXKJ2

— العميد يحيى سريع (@army21ye) July 16, 2024

Read more: Yemeni forces attack two oil tankers in Red Sea, one in Mediterranean

Yemen makes strides in USV production and use

Previously, the Yemeni military had unveiled the Toophan al-Mudammer USV, the newest iteration of the Toophan-line of explosive-laden remotely controlled speedboats. This USV holds a warhead at least twice to three times larger than that of the previous version, the Toophan-3. 

It also travels at 45 knots or 83 km/hr, maintaining an adequate speed to rush targets in the relatively narrow Red Sea. 

The USV was to target the TRANSWORLD NAVIGATOR in the Red Sea, which sunk at a later time after its crewmembers were evacuated. 

مشاهد استهداف القوات المسلحة اليمنية لسفينة TRANSWORLD NAVIGATOR التابعة لإحدى الشركات المخالفة لقرار حظر دخول السفن إلى موانئ فلسطين المحتلة بزورق (طوفان المدمر) -بتاريخ 23 يونيو 2024م مع مناورة ومعلومات للزورق المسير طوفان المدمر الذي يكشف عنه لأول مرة
pic.twitter.com/9CUaJcmqff

— العميد يحيى سريع (@army21ye) June 30, 2024

YAF engineers and system operators continue to adapt anti-ship systems and their use in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, as they gain unprecedented experience in modern naval warfare, spurring by the United States militarization of the Yemeni waterways. 

The YAF has unveiled several systems and utilized many others in recent months against Israeli, UK, and US-affiliated targets, as its support for the Palestinian people remains steadfast until the war on Gaza is halted. 

Read more: Yemeni forces showcase Toophan USV that sunk Israeli-affiliated ship