A Houthi-launched anti-ship ballistic missile struck a U.S.-owned container ship Monday in the Red Sea, U.S. Central Command announced.
The Houthis launched the ballistic missile at M/V Gibraltar Eagle, which is U.S.-owned and operated but sailed under a Marshall Islands flag, according to Central Command’s release.
Gibraltar Eagle is owned by Eagle Bulk Shipping, according to the company’s website, which lists the ship as part of its fleet. The ship did not report any damage or injuries from the Houthi missile, according to the Central Command release.
Although the Houthis had said they would attack any ship that is connected to Israel, either because it came from or went to the country or it was affiliated with an Israeli business. Senior Houthi official Nasr al-Din Amer told BBC that it will now attack any American-affiliated ship.
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a warning for commercial ships that plan to sail through the Red Sea.
“While the decision to transit remains at the discretion of individual vessels and companies, it is recommended that U.S. flag and U.S. owned commercial vessels remain North of 18N in the Red Sea or East of 46E in the Gulf of Aden until further notice,” reads the warning.
The Houthis also fired an anti-ship ballistic missile earlier Monday. The missile malfunctioned and impacted on landing in Yemen.
The missile launches come a day after the Houthis launched an anti-ship cruise missile at USS Laboon (DDG-58). The guided-missile destroyer repelled the attack.
The U.S. and United Kingdom struck at least 30 Houthi sites on Thursday and Friday. While the U. S. expected retaliation, a defense official told reporters that they hoped the Houthis would not escalate the attacks in the region.
