The U.S. Central Command reported that a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck the container ship M/V MSC SKY II in the Gulf of Aden, causing damage but no injuries.
The Liberian-flagged, Swiss-owned ship did not seek help and continued its journey.
The Houthi military spokesperson stated that the vessel was hit with several naval missiles aimed at disrupting Red Sea shipping lanes in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Additionally, another missile fired by the Houthis into the southern Red Sea ended up in the water without causing harm.
In response, CENTCOM carried out defensive actions against two cruise missiles threatening commercial and U.S. Navy vessels.
CENTCOM forces conducted “self-defense” strikes against two anti-ship cruise missiles that presented “an imminent threat” to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region, the statement added.
Following these incidents, the U.S. and the UK targeted Houthi positions in Yemen and reinstated the group’s designation as a terrorist organization.
The attacks in the Red Sea by the Houthis have led to significant disruptions in global shipping, prompting detours that are longer and costlier and have raised concerns about the potential for the Israel-Hamas conflict to escalate further in the Middle East.
