On Thursday, the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) announced that a coalition vessel had successfully intercepted and neutralized an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) launched from the Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen over the Gulf of Aden.
The ASBM was believed to be targeting the MV Yorktown, a US-flagged vessel with American and Greek crew members. Fortunately, there were no injuries or damages reported by any US, coalition, or commercial ships in the vicinity.
Additionally, US CENTCOM confirmed that they had also engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
These ASBMs and UAVs posed a significant threat to the safety of US, coalition, and merchant vessels operating in the region.
In a separate statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for attacks on the US ship Maersk Yorktown in the Gulf of Aden and the Israeli ship MSC Veracruz in the Indian Ocean.
The Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea region since November, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Furthermore, British maritime security firm Ambrey reported an incident southwest of the port city of Aden, an area frequently targeted by the Houthis, where a vessel reported an explosion in the water.
These Houthi attacks have disrupted global shipping through the Suez Canal, leading to longer and costlier alternative routes around southern Africa. In response, the United States and Britain have conducted strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
