Houthis attempt to strike oil tanker in Gulf of Aden; US, coalition forces defend against attack drones
US Central Command takes action to protect freedom of navigation in response to Houthi aggression
Houthis target oil tanker but fail to cause damage
On Saturday, Houthis launched an anti-ballistic missile towards a tanker ship carrying oil and chemicals in the Gulf of Aden. Fortunately, the missile struck the water and did not cause any harm to the ship or its crew. US Central Command revealed that the Iranian-backed Houthis were likely aiming for the M/V Torm Thor, which is owned by a US company.
The incident occurred at around 11:45 p.m. local time when the ship was sailing in the Gulf of Aden. This attack highlights the ongoing aggressions by the Houthi group in the region.
However, US Central Command forces managed to defend against the Houthis' one-way unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by shooting down two of them over the Red Sea at around 9 p.m. The third UAV crashed due to an apparent in-flight failure.
US and coalition forces take action against Houthi attack drones
Central Command stated that the UAVs posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the area. In order to safeguard freedom of navigation and enhance the security of international waters, the actions taken by US and coalition forces were necessary.
Despite efforts to protect merchant ships from Houthi attacks, the group continues to carry out acts of aggression. In a recent incident, the Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Gulf of Aden, hitting the MV Islander and causing minor damage and one injury.
Additionally, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists targeted a Greek-flagged ship delivering grain to Yemen, resulting in minor damage. These provocations further escalate tensions in the region and pose a threat to maritime security.
U.S.-owned cargo ship delivers aid despite Houthi attack
Despite the Houthi missile attack that caused minor damage to the US-owned M/V Sea Champion, the ship continued its course to deliver humanitarian aid to Aden in Yemen. This incident marks the ship's 11th humanitarian aid delivery to the country over the past five years.
The resilience exhibited by the M/V Sea Champion in fulfilling its mission demonstrates the determination to assist the Yemeni people during times of crisis. However, it is vital for international efforts to strengthen security measures to protect merchant vessels and ensure the safety of aid deliveries.
The ongoing aggressions carried out by the Houthi group pose a significant challenge to regional stability and call for continued vigilance and coordinated actions by the international community.
