In a recent incident reported by British Maritime Security firm Ambrey, a Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier encountered a missile strike while navigating near Yemen's Aden. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency acknowledged the incident, specifying that the vessel was struck from above by a missile located 95 nautical miles southeast of Aden. However, the agency refrained from identifying the particular vessel involved in the incident.
According to Ambrey, the missile strike was attributed to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea that they claim are linked to Israel or headed for Israeli ports. This action is purportedly aimed at supporting Palestinians in the ongoing conflict and assisting Hamas in Gaza. In response to these attacks, U.S. and British forces conducted numerous air and sea strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in the preceding week.
Ambrey reported that three missiles were launched by the Houthis, with two failing to reach the sea and the third successfully striking the bulk carrier. The impact of the missile reportedly resulted in a fire within one of the vessel's holds. However, it was noted that the bulk carrier remained seaworthy, and there were no reported injuries among the crew.
In their assessment, Ambrey indicated that the targeted vessel was not associated with Israel. Instead, they suggested that the attack might have been directed at U.S. interests, possibly in retaliation for the strikes carried out by U.S. and British forces on Houthi military positions.
The Houthis, who maintain control over Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and significant portions of the west and north regions, declared their intent to persist with Red Sea attacks following the U.S. and British military actions. Their leader, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, emphasized in a televised speech that any U.S. assault on Yemen would prompt a response.
To counter Houthi actions, the U.S. military reported on Sunday that a U.S. fighter jet successfully intercepted and downed an anti-ship cruise missile fired by the Houthis towards the USS Laboon in the southern Red Sea.
