No, image does not show an Israeli vessel seized by Houthis

By: Rajini KG
November 21 2023

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Screenshot of the viral image from X with a ‘false’ label added on top of it by Logically Facts (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

Context

On November 19, Yemen’s Houthi rebels reportedly took control of a cargo ship in the southern Red Sea. The Houthis claimed the vessel was Israeli and added they will continue to target Israeli vessels in international waters until the end of Israel’s offensive against Hamas, Associated Press reported. Israel has stressed that the vessel was British-owned and Japanese-operated but news reports point out that ownership records link the owners to one of the richest men in Israel.   

Following this, an image of a ship carrying goods vehicle, military vehicle, and rafts was shared to claim that it showed the seized vessel. A user on X (formerly Twitter) shared the image and made the same claim. The post (archive here) has received around 40,500 views and 1,100 likes at the time of writing this story. Archives of similar posts can be seen here and here.

Screenshot of the viral image from X with a ‘false’ label added on top of it by Logically Facts (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

However, the claim is false. The image shows a UAE vessel seized by Houthis in January 2022.

How did we find out?

A reverse image search led us to an article published by The Jewish Press, an American newspaper, on January 3, 2022. It reported that on January 3, Houthi’s military spokesman in a video announced that they had taken control of a UAE-owned (United Arab Emirates) cargo ship "Rawabi" and made some of its images public. The weapons and military hardware that were discovered on board were taken by the Houthis with the intention of using them against the coalition commanded by Saudi Arabia in Yemen. 

We also found a video on the YouTube channel of Al Arabi – News, a channel in Qatar, which showed the visuals of the briefing posted by the Houthis back in 2022. At the 4:20 timestamp, we can see the viral image where the spokesman of the group is seen pointing at the image.

Screenshot of Al Arabi’s broadcast from 2022. (Source: Al Arabi/YouTube/Modified by Logically Facts)

We also found a post from January 3, 2022 on X by the official handle of the spokesperson of the Houthi group. It said (originally in Arabic), “For those who missed watching the Armed Forces briefing regarding the operation to seize the UAE military cargo ship.” It carried a YouTube link which is now unavailable.

We also found an image of the vessel, albeit from a different angle, on AFP’s picture gallery. It was uploaded on January 6, 2022. We found the vehicles and objects on the ship matched with the viral image.

Similarities between the viral image and the image on AFP highlighted using red and yellow arrows. (Source: X/AFP/Modified by Logically Facts)

The verdict

Old image of a UAE vessel, Rawabi, which was hijacked by Houthis on January 3, 2022, was falsely shared as a recent incident.