Yemen’s Houthi rebels, known to be supported by Iran, declared responsibility for launching missiles at two vessels in the Red Sea. The attacked ships were identified as an American vessel and a British cargo ship, both reportedly sustaining minor damages.
The first incident occurred in the southern part of the Red Sea, west of the Yemeni port of Hodeida, resulting in minor damage to an American ship named ‘Star Nasia.’ The second attack targeted a UK-owned cargo ship, ‘Morning Tide,’ near Yemen’s southern port city of Aden. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the assault, stating that the vessel, flagged under Barbados and owned by a Greek company, was en route from the US to India. The nature of the explosion is yet to be determined, whether caused by a sea mine or a rocket.
The US military’s Central Command released a statement detailing the events, indicating that the Houthis fired a total of six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) towards the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Three missiles targeted the ‘Star Nasia,’ resulting in minor damage but no injuries. The vessel continued its journey, with the USS Laboon intercepting and shooting down a third missile.
Simultaneously, the remaining three missiles were aimed at the ‘Morning Tide.’ Fortunately, these missiles impacted the water without causing harm to the vessel or its crew. The UK-owned cargo ship continues its journey unaffected.
The Houthi rebels, originating from Yemen’s northwestern Saada province, have been engaging in similar acts targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea since October of the previous year. They claim these actions as “acts of solidarity with Palestinians” amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The situation raises concerns about the safety of maritime activities in the region and the potential for further escalation.
