A harrowing incident unfolded in the Gulf of Aden as an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen claimed the lives of three crew members aboard a commercial vessel, revealed U.S. Central Command in a statement.
This tragic event marks the first fatal strike perpetrated by Iran-backed Houthi militants since the onslaught on international shipping routes commenced in mid-November. According to CENTCOM, it constitutes the fifth such missile fired by the Houthis within a span of two days.
The targeted vessel, identified as the Barbados-flagged and Liberian-owned bulk carrier True Confidence, suffered a direct hit from the Houthi missile, resulting in a fire in the pilothouse, as confirmed by defense officials speaking to VOA.
In addition to the casualties, four individuals sustained injuries in the attack, three of whom are reported to be in critical condition, CENTCOM disclosed. The severity of the assault compelled the multinational crew of 23 to evacuate the vessel, according to defense sources.
Efforts to aid the affected crew were promptly mobilized, with the USS Philippine Sea, an American guided-missile cruiser, engaged in assisting rescue operations, as indicated by officials. Furthermore, an Indian destroyer was among the first responders on the scene to provide support in the rescue mission.
The recent attack adds to a string of incidents targeting commercial ships in the region, including an aid vessel transporting grain to Yemen and another vessel carrying cargo destined for Iran. Tragically, the MV Rubymar, laden with fertilizer, succumbed to a Houthi attack last month, leading to its sinking over the weekend.
The escalating threat posed by these assaults on international shipping routes has garnered international attention, with U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric condemning the attacks and urging the Houthis to cease all hostile actions in the Red Sea.
In response to the heightened tensions, a coalition comprising approximately two dozen nations, including the United States and Britain, has been actively engaged in safeguarding the region against Houthi aggression since mid-January.
The United States and Britain have executed joint operations against the Houthis, supplemented by near-daily airstrikes by the U.S. military to thwart incoming Houthi missiles and drones. Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder underscored the collective efforts of allies and partners in countering the threat, emphasizing the significant military presence already deployed in the Red Sea region.
Amidst escalating confrontations, the Houthis continued their offensive, targeting the USS Carney on Tuesday with bomb-carrying drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile, as confirmed by U.S. Central Command. Responding swiftly, the U.S. military launched airstrikes, neutralizing three anti-ship missiles and three suicide drone boats deployed by the Iranian proxies.
The Houthis have justified their attacks on international shipping routes as acts of solidarity with the Hamas government in Gaza, following a deadly attack by Hamas terrorists on Israelis in October. Israel’s subsequent military operation in Gaza has led to ongoing violence and casualties on both sides, exacerbating tensions in the region.
