U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday announced that the Palau-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk carrier MV Verbena The ship was hit by two anti-ship missiles fired by Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen while sailing in the Gulf of Aden.
A fire broke out on board the ship after the missile hit, leaving one crew member seriously injured.
Central Army Said USS Aircraft Philippine Sea, One Ticonderoga-class Missile cruiser“The injured sailor was medically transported to a nearby partner vessel for treatment.”
“Continued reckless actions by the Iranian-backed Houthis threaten regional stability and endanger the lives of mariners traveling through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” Central Command said. “While the Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of the Palestinian people of the Gaza Strip, they are targeting and threatening the lives of nationals of third countries that have no connection to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.”
“The ongoing threat posed by the Houthis to the ability to safely transit through the region complicates the delivery of vital assistance to the people of Yemen and Gaza,” the statement said.
of Verbena The ship was reportedly carrying timber from Malaysia to Italy when it was attacked. The Houthis ostensibly only target American and Israeli ships, and those bound for Israel, but their target profiles for terror attacks are often incorrect. They attack A ship leaving for a customer in Iran.
Houthis Took responsibility Attacked Verbena It operated along with two other vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over the past 24 hours on Thursday.
Another target was the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged coal carrier ” Tutor, Which It was struck The ship was attacked by Houthi missiles and a surface drone on Wednesday while sailing in waters about 66 miles southwest of the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.
of Private Tutor was Severely damaged The UK Maritime Trade Office (UKMTO) said on Friday that the ship was adrift and taking on water. One of the 22 crew members is reported missing, while the rest are Rescued According to Philippine Department of Migrant Workers and Migrants Secretary Hans Cadac, the refugees were forcibly brought to the Philippines by American and French troops.
Cacdac said the missing crew members Tutor An engine room damaged in a Houthi attack.
“Right now we are working to identify or determine the situation of the particular sailor who was on board that vessel. We are praying that we will find him,” he said.
largely Tutor The crew, all Filipino, are “safe and sound” and have sufficient food, and plans are being made for their evacuation and repatriation, CACDAC said.
Biden Administration Announced Since the coalition launched Operation Guardian of Prosperity in February to protect Red Sea commerce and reassure anxious shipping companies, the Houthis have continued their attacks with only brief respite, and given the events of the past week, they appear to be increasingly skilled at inflicting serious damage on commercial ships.
The attack Private Tutor This appears to be the Houthis’ first success. Expand Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) or drone boat technology, they Struggling It has been nearing completion since the beginning of this year. While the Houthis spend billions on Iranian weapons and drone research, Yemenis are heavily reliant on international humanitarian aid, including food and medicine. include Aid from America.
Central Army Said The U.S. military said on Wednesday it had destroyed three anti-ship cruise missile launchers and one unmanned aerial system in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.
