The U.S. Central Command has announced that on Tuesday, the Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, launched a ballistic missile from an area they control in Yemen, targeting the destroyer Laboon in the Red Sea.
The command stated in a release that the missile did not hit the destroyer “Laboon,” and there were no material or human losses incurred.
In an early Wednesday statement, the command elaborated, “The United States Central Command and a coalition ship successfully engaged and destroyed two drones launched from an area under Houthi control in Yemen.”
The Yemeni Houthi group had declared in the early hours of Tuesday that it targeted what it referred to as “the American ship Pinocchio” in the Red Sea.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree mentioned that the group’s attacks would intensify during the month of Ramadan “in support of the Gaza Strip.”
According to the U.S. Central Command, the Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles from their controlled regions in Yemen towards the commercial ship “Pinocchio.”
The statement noted that the ship, registered under the Liberian flag, is Singaporean, confirming that there were no reports of material or human damage.
Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted global shipping movements, compelling companies to alter their routes for longer and more costly trips around Africa and raising concerns about the potential escalation of the Gaza conflict, which could destabilize the Middle East.
In response to these attacks, the United States and the United Kingdom are launching strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, and Washington has re-designated the movement as a terrorist organization.
Since October 7, the Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, pledged military support to Hamas and began a series of attacks targeting maritime assets in the Red Sea. These included missile and drone strikes aimed at both Israeli and international shipping, with the U.S. reporting at least 48 Houthi-launched attacks by February 2024. The Houthi actions have significantly disrupted shipping routes, prompting vessels to take longer, more costly detours around Africa and raising global concerns about the potential for an escalated conflict in the region.
In response to these aggressive maneuvers, the international community, led by the United States and the United Kingdom, has condemned the Houthi actions and implemented sanctions and arms embargoes. The U.S. designated the Houthis as a global terrorist group in January 2024. Moreover, a coalition of over 20 countries, including a U.S.-initiated international maritime effort called Operation Prosperity Guardian, has been established to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The UK and the U.S. have also conducted several targeted strikes against Houthi installations in Yemen to counteract the threat posed to maritime security.
The Houthi rebels, formally known as Ansar Allah, have been engaged in a prolonged conflict against the Yemeni government since 2014. Their close ties with Iran and shared animosity towards Saudi Arabia have drawn international scrutiny, particularly concerning the supply of military resources and expertise to the Houthis by Iran and Hezbollah. The United States has accused Iran of being “deeply involved” in the Houthi operations targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea, exacerbating tensions in a region crucial for global trade, where around 15% of the world’s seaborne commerce transits.
