Incident Summary:

10/26/2016: Assailants fired a rocket-propelled grenade targeting the Melati Satu liquefied natural gas tanker off the coast of Dhubab district, Taizz, Yemen. There were no reported casualties in the attack. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources suspected that Huthi extremists may have carried out the attack.

GTD ID:
201610260045

When:
2016-10-26

Country:
Yemen

Region:
Middle East & North Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Taizz

City:
Dhubab district

Location Details:
The incident occurred in the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Maritime
Name of Entity Unknown
Specific Description Melati Satu Liquid Natural Gas Tanker
Nationality of Target Tuvalu
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Projectile (rockets, mortars, RPGs, etc.)
Weapon Details
A rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) was used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) No
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) Yes
Alternate Designation (more) Other Crime Type
Additional Information There is doubt that this incident meets terrorism-related criteria. Sources suspected that the attack may have been piracy.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Houthi extremists (Ansar Allah) (suspected) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 0 Fatalities / 0 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 0
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 0
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Probable terrorist motivation for attack off Yemen indicates tankers transiting Bab al-Mandeb are likely targets," IHS Global Insight, November 8, 2016.
"Second Attack on Ships Raises Alarm," Port Technology International, October 27, 2016.
"Pirates attack oil tanker near Bab al-Mandab," AlArabiya.net, October 27, 2016.