In a recent incident off the coast of Yemen, a US-owned and operated container ship was struck by an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels, according to the United States Central Command. The Marshall Islands-flagged Gibraltar Eagle sustained no injuries or significant damage and continued its journey after the attack in the Gulf of Aden. The Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the assault, stating that all American and British ships involved in the aggression against Yemen are considered hostile targets.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that a vessel was hit from above by a missile 95 nautical miles southeast of Aden, without specifically identifying the vessel. However, British Maritime Security firm Ambrey stated that three missiles were reportedly launched by the Houthis, with two failing to reach the sea and the third striking the bulk carrier. Although a fire broke out in one of the holds, the vessel remained seaworthy, and no injuries were reported on board. Ambrey concluded that the attacked ship was not affiliated with Israel.
This attack on the container ship follows the launching of an anti-ship cruise missile by the Houthis towards a US destroyer in the Red Sea, as confirmed by US officials. The Houthis currently control western Yemen, including the strategically significant Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which serves as an entryway into the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. In response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the rebels have been targeting ships they deem to be linked to Israel or destined for Israeli ports. Their objective is to pressure Israel to cease its assault on Gaza and ease restrictions on the supply of humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Last week, US and British forces carried out numerous air and sea strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to these attacks. Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis, has vowed to retaliate against any further US aggression. Following the strikes, US officials estimate that the rebels still possess about three-quarters of their missile and drone capabilities.
Experts have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of one-off strikes against Houthi installations, arguing that they will not diminish the group’s capacity or deter them from targeting ships in the Red Sea. Omar Rahman, a fellow with the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, believes that the US and UK’s military actions are not strategically justifiable. He argues that by ignoring the root cause of the crisis, which he deems to be the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the US and UK are not only enabling it but also trying to prevent a wider regional escalation.
The situation in Yemen remains tense, with the recent attack on the US-owned container ship raising concerns among US intelligence officials. The city of Hodeidah, from where the attack was launched, had previously been targeted by US and UK strikes. The international community continues to closely monitor the situation as tensions escalate in the region.
