Houthi missile strikes U.S. cargo ship under Central Command
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
10:51 AM – Monday, January 15, 2024
United States Central Command stated that a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile struck a cargo ship owned and operated by the U.S. on Monday.
The attack on the Gibraltar Eagle marks the first successful strike by the Houthis on a U.S.-owned or operated ship, escalating tensions in the Red Sea following the U.S.’s warning of a violent response to further Houthi launches.
This incident occurred shortly after the U.S.-led coalition launched strikes in Yemen against the Houthi rebel group, which is backed by Iran, and issued a warning of more strikes if the Houthi attacks continued.
According to Central Command, the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, a bulk carrier owned by American company Eagle Bulk, sustained minor damages but no injuries were reported on board.
The Gibraltar Eagle, carrying a load of steel goods, was hit by an unidentified projectile around 100 miles offshore in the Gulf of Aden, as stated by Eagle Bulk Shipping.
“As a result of the impact, the vessel suffered limited damage to a cargo hold but is stable and is heading out of the area,” the statement read. “All seafarers onboard the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured.”
The UKMTO, the maritime security agency of the United Kingdom, was also informed of the incident.
According to Eagle Bulk Shipping, they maintained “close contact with all relevant authorities.”
“Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the maritime security agency stated.
However, the responsibility for the Gibraltar Eagle strike has not been officially claimed by the Houthis at this time.
The Biden administration has vowed to protect U.S. interests and assets in the region following the U.S.-led attacks on Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. The strikes were labeled as a last-resort measure, with U.S. officials working to prevent further escalation.
“We will stand fully prepared to defend ourselves and defend that shipping, if it comes to it,” said John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council.
The Houthis have threatened to retaliate, declaring that any U.S. or U.K. asset would be a “legitimate target.” Their recent attacks on international maritime lines in the Red Sea have led many shipping corporations to avoid the area.
Central Command reported that the Houthis attempted to launch another anti-ship ballistic missile earlier on Monday, but were unsuccessful.
According to the U.K.-based security organization Ambrey, a total of three missiles were launched towards the Red Sea on Monday. Two missed their target, while the third struck a U.S.-owned and controlled vessel.
Last Thursday, the U.S. and the U.K. conducted strikes on 28 Houthi locations to prevent further attacks on international trade lines in the Red Sea. Australia, Bahrain, the Netherlands, and Canada also supported these retaliatory efforts.
The Houthi rebels’ military spokesman, Yahya Sare’e, stated that they will continue attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea until a “full cease-fire” is initiated in Gaza.
On December 29th, Sare’e condemned the U.S. and Israel for their retaliatory efforts against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza strip.
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Why have shipping corporations started to avoid the area of the Red Sea?
On Monday, the United States Central Command announced that a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile had struck a cargo ship owned and operated by the U.S. This attack on the Gibraltar Eagle marks the first successful strike by the Houthis on a U.S.-owned or operated ship, further escalating tensions in the Red Sea.
The incident occurred shortly after the U.S.-led coalition launched strikes in Yemen against the Houthi rebel group, which is backed by Iran. In response to the Houthi attacks, the U.S. had issued a warning of violent retaliation if the launches continued.
According to Central Command, the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, a bulk carrier owned by American company Eagle Bulk, sustained minor damages but no injuries were reported on board. The ship was carrying a load of steel goods and was hit by an unidentified projectile around 100 miles offshore in the Gulf of Aden.
Eagle Bulk Shipping stated that as a result of the impact, the vessel suffered limited damage to a cargo hold but is stable and heading out of the area. All seafarers onboard the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured. The UKMTO, the maritime security agency of the United Kingdom, was also informed of the incident.
The responsibility for the Gibraltar Eagle strike has not been officially claimed by the Houthis at this time. However, the Biden administration has vowed to protect U.S. interests and assets in the region. The U.S.-led attacks on Houthi-controlled territory were labeled as a last-resort measure, with officials working to prevent further escalation.
The Houthis, in turn, have threatened to retaliate, declaring any U.S. or U.K. asset as a “legitimate target.” Their recent attacks on international maritime lines in the Red Sea have led many shipping corporations to avoid the area.
Central Command reported that the Houthis attempted to launch another anti-ship ballistic missile earlier on Monday, but were unsuccessful. According to the U.K.-based security organization Ambrey, a total of three missiles were launched towards the Red Sea on Monday. Two missed their target, while the third struck a U.S.-owned and controlled vessel.
Last Thursday, the U.S. and the U.K. conducted strikes on 28 Houthi locations to prevent further attacks on international trade lines in the Red Sea. Australia, Bahrain, the Netherlands, and Canada also supported these retaliatory efforts.
The Houthi rebels’ military spokesman, Yahya Sare’e, stated that they will continue attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea until a “full cease-fire” is initiated in Gaza. It is worth noting that on December 29th, Sare’e condemned the U.S. and Israel for their retaliatory efforts against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza strip.
As tensions continue to rise in the Red Sea, it is crucial for maritime security agencies and relevant authorities to maintain close contact and remain vigilant. The protection of commercial ships and the prevention of further attacks are of utmost importance for the international community.
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