OAN's Brooke Mallory
10:51am – Monday, January 15, 2024
A U.S.-owned and operated cargo ship was hit by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile on Monday, U.S. Central Command said in a statement.
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The attack on the Gibraltar Eagle appears to be the first time the Houthis have successfully attacked a U.S.-owned or operated vessel, and comes as the U.S. pledged to respond to any further Houthi launches with violent retaliation. As a result, the danger in the Red Sea became even greater.
The incident comes just days after the US-led coalition launched an offensive against Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen, warning that further attacks would be needed if the Houthi onslaught continued. was.
The Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier M/V Gibraltar Eagle, owned by the US company Eagle Bulk, sustained minor damage, but no injuries were reported on board, Central Command said.
Eagle Bulk Shipping said in a statement on Monday that the Gibraltar Eagle, which was transporting a large quantity of steel products, was “directly struck by an unidentified projectile” about 160 miles offshore in the Gulf of Aden.
“As a result of the impact, the vessel sustained limited damage to its cargo hold, but is stable and heading out of the area,” the statement said. “All crew members on board have been confirmed to be uninjured.”
The incident was also reported to UKMTO, the UK's maritime security agency.
Eagle Bulk Shipping said it was maintaining “close contact with all relevant authorities.”
“Vessels are advised to navigate with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the Coast Guard said.
However, Monday's Gibraltar Eagle attack is not officially 100% attributable to the Houthis, as they have not yet claimed responsibility.
The Biden administration said the United States would protect its interests and assets in the region after Thursday's U.S.-led offensive used more than 150 precision-guided missiles in about 30 locations in Yemen's Houthi-held areas. Ta. After repeatedly warning the Houthis, the United States characterized the airstrike as a last resort and insisted American officials were working to prevent the situation from escalating.
“We're going to be fully prepared to protect ourselves and protect our vessels when the time comes,” said John Kirby, the National Security Council's strategic communications coordinator.
The Houthis have since declared any U.S. or British assets a “legitimate target” and vowed to fight back. Since mid-November, the Houthis have carried out nearly 30 attacks on international shipping lanes, prompting many major shipping companies around the world to avoid the Red Sea, one of the world's most important waterways. I am.
The Houthis also attempted to fire an anti-ship ballistic missile early Monday, but the attack failed, according to the Central Command.
The UK-based security organization Ambry said a total of three missiles were fired into the Red Sea on Monday. The group said two of the three missiles missed their targets and the third hit a ship owned and controlled by the United States.
To prevent the group from attacking the Red Sea international trade route, the US and UK attacked 28 different Houthi strongholds last Thursday. Australia, Bahrain, the Netherlands and Canada also supported the US and UK retaliation efforts.
Houthi rebel military spokesman Yahya Saleh declared on Friday that the Houthis will continue attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea until a “complete ceasefire” begins in the Gaza Strip.
December 29ththSalih condemned the efforts of the United States and Israel for retaliatory efforts by both countries in the fight against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, who have killed more than 1,200 people and abducted hundreds from Israel since October 7.th.
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