In a recent military operation, the United States has announced that it successfully destroyed a Houthi anti-ship missile in Yemen. The missile, which was aimed into the Red Sea, posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region, according to a statement released by the US Central Command. This action comes in response to the Houthi group’s attack on a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Iran, have been launching drones and missiles at shipping in the Red Sea since November 19, in retaliation to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The US military conducted a self-defense strike against the Houthi anti-ship missile on January 27, preventing its launch and ensuring the safety of nearby vessels.
The attack on the British fuel tanker, named Marlin Luanda and owned by the Singapore-based Trafigura trading firm, caused damage but no injuries were reported. The US Navy ship USS Carney provided assistance, and Trafigura has confirmed that all crew members are safe and the fire on the vessel has been extinguished.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack in a televised statement, stating that their forces will continue to target ships in the Red Sea until Israel’s “aggression” against Palestinians in Gaza ceases. In response, the US and the United Kingdom launched two air raids on the port of Ras Issa, Yemen’s main oil export terminal, according to Al Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel.
The Houthi attacks have mainly been concentrated in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a narrow passage connecting the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. This strait is crucial for global maritime trade, with approximately 50 ships passing through it daily en route to and from the Suez Canal. As a result, some of the world’s largest shipping companies have suspended operations in the region, opting for the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, which has slowed down trade between Asia and Europe.
To counter the Houthi attacks, both the US and the UK have launched multiple rounds of air raids, targeting missile depots and launcher sites in Yemen. The Houthi rebels have vowed to retaliate by targeting US and UK ships as well. In a recent incident, two US-flagged ships carrying cargo for the defense and state departments were attacked by the Houthis, leading a US Navy warship to intercept and shoot down some of the projectiles.
The situation in Yemen remains tense as the Houthi attacks continue to disrupt maritime trade and pose a threat to international shipping. The US and its allies are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary actions to ensure the safety of vessels and personnel in the region.
