By The U.S. military announced on Thursday that it had destroyed two Houthi patrol boats, one uncrewed surface vessel, and one drone over the Red Sea in response to Houthi missile strikes that set a Palau-flagged cargo ship ablaze and severely injured one crew member in the Gulf of Aden.
According to U.S. Central Command, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who control most areas of Yemen, launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen into the Red Sea. The missiles did not cause any damage or injuries.
However, in a separate incident, missiles fired by the Houthis struck the Verbena, a Palau-flagged cargo ship, in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday. The attack sparked a fire on the vessel and severely injured one crew member. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that three missiles struck the Verbena.
As the crew fought the fire, a U.S. Navy aircraft from the Philippine Sea warship medically evacuated the injured mariner to a nearby partner force ship for medical attention. The Verbena, loaded with wood construction material and bound for Italy, still maintains power and steering capabilities, according to security and military sources.
The Houthi missile strikes are part of a campaign launched by the Iran-allied group in solidarity with the Palestinians in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis have stated that their operations will continue until hostilities in Gaza end and the siege on the Palestinian people is lifted.
In addition to the Verbena, the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on the Greek-owned cargo ship Tutor near Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hodeidah on Wednesday, leaving the vessel taking on water and in need of rescue. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs condemned the assault on the Tutor, which had a Filipino crew on board.
The Houthi campaign in the Red Sea region has disrupted global shipping, causing delays and increased costs throughout supply chains. The militants have sunk one ship, seized another vessel, and killed three seafarers in separate attacks.
Joshua Hutchinson, managing director of intelligence and risk for British maritime security firm Ambrey, noted that while several near misses have been reported, the data suggests that the Houthis are becoming more successful with direct hits on ships.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen and the Houthi attacks on international shipping have raised concerns about the safety and security of maritime trade in the region, prompting the U.S. military’s response to the latest missile strikes.
Credit: Reuters
