What Crew Members Say About Anadolu-S

In the wake of a missile attack on the Panama-flagged cargo ship Anadolu S, which is owned by a Turkish company, Turkey has refrained from announcing the deployment of warships or any direct military response against the Houthi group in Yemen. On November 20, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement condemning the Houthi missile strikes that targeted the vessel while it was navigating off the coast of Yemen. While acknowledging the severity of the attack, Turkey has emphasized that it is taking preventative measures to avert similar incidents in the future. However, no specifics have been revealed regarding these measures or any military actions against the Houthis. The statement did not clarify the condition of the Anadolu S following the attack, leaving uncertainties about any potential damages to the vessel.

On November 20, 2023, Turkey issued a firm condemnation of a missile attack launched by Yemen's Houthi forces against the Panamanian-flagged vessel 'Anadolu S' while it was navigating the Red Sea. The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated, 'We condemn the Houthi missile attacks on the Panamanian-flagged dry cargo ship Anadolu S, owned by a Turkish company, sailing off the coast of Yemen.' The ministry did not clarify whether the vessel sustained any damage but emphasized that measures were being implemented to avert similar future incidents. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the assault on November 19, asserting that their missiles struck the ship 'precisely and directly' due to its alleged failure to heed their naval warnings. Additionally, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), a multinational maritime coalition with participation from the United States and various European nations, reported that its investigation revealed an 'indirect link' between the targeted vessel and Israel.

On November 18, 2024, authorities reported that the bulk carrier 'Anadolu S', navigating through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from Alexandria to Qasim, was targeted in a series of suspected attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants. Fortunately, no injuries or damages were sustained during these incidents. According to updates from the Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational task force headed by the United States, the first alarming encounter occurred when the vessel received a VHF radio communication from an individual purporting to be a representative of Yemeni authorities. This person demanded that 'Anadolu S' alter its course; however, the ship's crew chose to remain on their chosen path. The situation escalated on the night of November 17, 2024, when the captain reported witnessing a missile landing perilously close to the vessel in the southern Red Sea, approximately 30 miles west of Mocha and near the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This dangerous incident was followed by a second missile that struck nearby the ship on November 18, approximately 70 miles southeast of Aden in the Gulf of Aden. Thankfully, the vessel and its crew are safe and are currently proceeding to their next destination, with an estimated time of arrival set for November 23.