The Houthi group in Yemen, aligned with Iran, launched missile attacks on a Liberian-flagged container ship in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Despite the claims, the vessel, named Pinocchio, was not damaged as the two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Yemeni territory missed their target.
Contrary to the Houthis’ assertion through their military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, that they had successfully struck the ship, labelling it “American,” CENTCOM confirmed that no harm was done.
The Pinocchio is registered under a Liberian flag and is owned by the Singapore-based OM-MAR 5 INC, as per maritime records.
Sarea also mentioned the Houthis’ plan to intensify their military actions during Ramadan, aiming to show solidarity with the Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Houthis’ consistent assaults in the Red Sea have significantly disrupted international shipping lanes, prompting reroutes that are both longer and costlier, through southern Africa, and raising concerns about the potential for the Israel-Hamas conflict to destabilize the broader Middle East.
In response to these threats, the United States and the United Kingdom have conducted operations against Houthi positions in Yemen and have reclassified the group as a terrorist organization.
Recent airstrikes by a coalition led by the US and UK targeted several locations in western Yemen, resulting in civilian casualties and injuries, as reported by a spokesperson from Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
CENTCOM’s statement highlighted that it carried out six self-defence strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on Monday, targeting and destroying an unmanned underwater vessel and 18 anti-ship missiles, deemed immediate threats to both merchant and US Navy ships in the vicinity.
