The United States claimed the missile posed an “imminent threat” to commercial shipping and U.S. naval vessels in the region.
The US military said it had destroyed a Houthi anti-ship missile in Yemen that was ready to launch into the Red Sea after the Iran-aligned group attacked a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
U.S. Central Command said in a statement about the X on Saturday that the missile “posed an imminent threat to commercial shipping and U.S. naval vessels in the region.”
The Houthis have been firing drones and missiles at ships in the Red Sea since November 19 in response to Israeli military operations in Gaza.
US launches self-defense strike against Houthi anti-ship missiles
At approximately 3:45 a.m. (Sanaa time) on January 27, U.S. Central Command carried out an attack on a Houthi anti-ship missile that was preparing to launch into the Red Sea. U.S. Army… pic.twitter.com/UcHqDiyT1I
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 27, 2024
The US attack followed an attack on a British fuel tanker by Houthi rebels on Friday evening.
The USS Marlin Luanda, owned by Singapore-based trading company Trafigura, was damaged but no injuries were reported and was being assisted by USS Kearney, the US military said.
“The crew, with support from the warship, continues efforts to extinguish the fire in one of the cargo tanks. The safety of the crew remains our top priority,” Trafigura said in an update.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Salih claimed responsibility for the attack in a televised statement, saying the Houthi forces would continue attacking ships in the Red Sea until Israel’s “aggression” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip stops.
Al-Masira, a satellite news channel run by the Houthis, reported on Saturday that the United States and Britain had launched two airstrikes against Ras Issa port in Hodeidah province, Yemen’s main oil export terminal.
Houthi attacks have so far focused on the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea. Approximately 50 ships sail through the strait each day, traveling to and from the Suez Canal, a key artery of global maritime trade.
Some of the world’s biggest shipping companies have suspended operations in the region and instead sent ships on long-distance routes around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, slowing trade between Asia and Europe. .
The US and UK have launched multiple airstrikes since Houthi attacks began targeting missile bases and launch sites in Yemen.
Since the air campaign began, the rebels have said they also intend to target US and British ships.
On Wednesday, two U.S.-flagged ships carrying cargo for the Defense and State Departments were attacked by the Houthis, forcing a U.S. Navy warship escorting them to shoot down some of the projectiles.
