U.S. Central Command Reports Houthi Missile Strike in Gulf of Aden

U.S. Central Command disclosed on Sunday that Houthi fighters launched an anti-ballistic missile heading towards a tanker ship transporting oil and chemicals in the Gulf of Aden on Saturday. Fortunately, the missile veered off course and hit the water, sparing the ship and its crew from any damage or injuries.

Possible Target: M/V Torm Thor

The missile launched by the Iranian-backed Houthis was believed to be targeting the M/V Torm Thor, a U.S. flagged and owned ship, that was sailing in the Gulf of Aden. The incident occurred at 11:45 p.m. local time, and at approximately 9 p.m. that same evening, U.S. Central Command forces successfully neutralized two one-way unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in self-defense over the Red Sea.

Continuous Threat and Confrontations in the Region

The Central Command stated that a third UAV crash-landed in the vicinity, likely due to an in-flight malfunction. This incident marks the Houthi’s ongoing aggression and provocations in the area, despite efforts from the United States and its allies to safeguard merchant vessels and ensure the safety of surrounding waters.

Previous Attacks on Merchant Ships

Houthi rebels previously fired anti-ship ballistic missiles from the southern region of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden on Thursday. However, on that occasion, the missiles struck the MV Islander, a Palau-flagged cargo carrier owned by a company from the United Kingdom, resulting in minor damage and a single minor injury.

Similarly, Greek-flagged ships have also fallen victim to Houthi attacks. In a separate assault, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched by Houthi terrorists towards a Greek-flagged vessel delivering grain to Yemen, causing incidental damage to the ship. Despite the setback, the ship continued its journey to Aden, fulfilling its mission of providing grain to the Yemeni people.

This recent ordeal, involving temporary damage to the U.S.-owned M/V Sea Champion, did not impact its vital role in delivering humanitarian aid to Yemen. Over the past five years, the M/V Sea Champion has engaged in delivering aid to the country on 11 separate occasions.