The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that “Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.S.-owned and operated container ship.”
No casualties or major damage was reported by the vessel, which is continuing on with its voyage.
UKMTO WARNING 009/JAN/2024 – UPDATE 001
ATTACK
Warnings – 2024 (https://t.co/5An1YH0JyE)#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/U3Y3S3qx9V
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) January 15, 2024
CENTCOM added that “Earlier in the day, at approximately 2 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Forces detected an anti-ship ballistic missile fired toward the Southern Red Sea commercial shipping lanes. The missile failed in flight and impacted on land in Yemen.”
The Houthis have continued its targeting of commercial vessels in the Red Sea despite warnings and strikes by the United States. The Houthis have maintained that attacks will continue until Israeli operation in Gaza cease.
This also comes one day after U.S. fighter aircraft from the carrier USS Eisenhower intercepted a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile that was fired towards the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Laboon, which was operating in the Southern Red Sea.
