The Iran-backed Houthis struck a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden on Monday, U.S. Central Command announced, in what appears to be the terror group’s first successful attack on a U.S.-owned or operated vessel since it began targeting ships in the Red Sea in mid November.
Houthi militants based in Yemen launched an anti-ship ballistic missile at Eagle Bulk Shipping’s Gibraltar Eagle around 4 p.m. local time Monday, CENTCOM said in a statement. No injuries or significant damage were reported.
Eagle Bulk also confirmed that the “unidentified projectile” hit the Gibraltar Eagle about 100 miles offshore southeast of Aden, Yemen.
“As a result of the impact the vessel suffered limited damage to a cargo hold but is stable and is heading out of the area,” the shipping company said. “All seafarers onboard the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured.”
In a statement claiming responsibility for the Monday attack, the Houthis said they fired a number of “direct” and “accurate” missiles.
Earlier on Monday, the Houthis fired another anti-ship ballistic missile toward commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The missile crashed in Yemen shortly after taking flight, the U.S. military said.
Three missiles were launched toward the Red Sea on Monday, said Ambrey, a maritime-security firm based in the U.K. Two of the three missiles did not reach their targets, while the third one hit the Gibraltar Eagle.
The Houthis have carried out some 30 attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea since November 19, with the latest strike being the only one to have impacted an American vessel. The Iran-backed terror proxy says its attacks are meant to deter U.S. support for Israel in its war against Hamas.
The latest attack came mere days after the U.S. and U.K. navies carried out retaliatory strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. On Thursday, the coordinated naval and air assault struck 28 separate Houthi sites in order to disrupt the group’s ability to carry out further strikes on commercial cargo ships and navy ships. The U.S. led a smaller strike a day later, resulting in the bombing of a radar facility affiliated with the Houthis.
The militant group, however, doesn’t appear to be phased by the retaliation. In fact, the Houthis vowed a fierce response to the U.S.-led strikes late last week — a promise that they have since followed through on.
On Sunday, the Houthis attempted to strike the USS Laboon before U.S. fighter planes intercepted the enemy missile. No injuries or damage were reported.
Iran is believed to be playing a direct role in the recent Houthi attacks, and top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers are stationed in Yemen, Semafor reported Monday. The Iranian military branch has also overseen the transfer of attack drones, cruise missiles, and medium-range ballistic missiles that the Houthis have utilized against Red Sea shipping and Israeli targets, according to U.S. and Middle East officials.
Commercial ships belonging to Western countries have borne the brunt of such attacks. Notably, China has not seen similar attacks on its Red Sea shipping lanes, mainly because of its ties to Iran. Still, the Chinese state-owned shipping giant Cosco temporarily suspended shipping to Israel this month amid the escalating Houthi attacks in the region.