Defense News ,Gulf of Aden :- In a recent incident, a missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels hit a US-owned ship near the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden. This comes shortly after another anti-ship cruise missile was fired at an American destroyer in the Red Sea. The targeted ship, the Gibraltar Eagle, reported being struck on its port side, but fortunately, no injuries or significant damage occurred, allowing the vessel to continue its journey.
While the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack on the Gibraltar Eagle, tensions in the Red Sea have intensified following American-led strikes against the rebel group. The attacks by the Houthis have disrupted global shipping, especially amidst Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza. This has impacted a crucial corridor connecting Asian and Middle East energy and cargo shipments to the Suez Canal, which leads to Europe.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations revealed that the Monday attack occurred approximately 110 miles southeast of Aden. Satellite-tracking data showed that the Eagle Gibraltar, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, had originally been en route to the Suez Canal but abruptly changed course during the attack.
The US military's Central Command acknowledged the strike, attributing it to the Houthis. Despite the incident, the ship reported no significant damage, and it continued its journey. The vessel is owned by Eagle Bulk, a firm based in Stamford, Connecticut, which has not provided any comments on the matter.
In response to the escalating situation, Central Command detected another anti-ship ballistic missile launch toward the southern Red Sea on Monday. However, this missile failed in flight and landed in Yemen. The US Maritime Administration issued a warning, advising US flag and US-owned commercial vessels to avoid Yemen in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The recent missile launch towards the USS Laboon marked the first acknowledged Houthi attack since the US and its allies initiated strikes against the rebels. President Joe Biden emphasized the readiness to take further measures to protect people and international commerce. The US-led strikes targeted 28 locations and over 60 Houthi-related sites.
The Houthis, based in Hodeida, a Red Sea port city, have been targeting ships since November, citing retaliation for Israel's actions in Gaza. However, these attacks have affected vessels with no clear links to Israel, jeopardizing a vital route for global trade.
The situation has raised concerns about maritime security, with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warning of the dangers posed by the US strikes in the Red Sea. The impact is not only felt in the region's geopolitical landscape but also in disrupting shipping for nations like Qatar, a major natural gas supplier.
As tensions rise in the Middle East, efforts to calm the situation face challenges, and the risk of a broader conflict looms. The Saudi-led, US-backed war in Yemen, ongoing since 2015, has already resulted in significant casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis. The recent attacks further complicate the delicate diplomatic balance in the region, with Saudi Arabia seeking to distance itself from the Houthi strikes as it navigates its relationship with Iran and maintains a ceasefire in Yemen.
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