This Wednesday, Yemen's Houthi rebels again attacked two U.S.-flagged ships while they were transporting cargo for the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, as well as other government agencies.
The shipping company Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) reported that two of its ships (the Maerks Detroit and the Maersk Chesapeake) were in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off Yemen when explosions were reported.
As explained by the company, both vessels were registered in the Maritime Security Program of the United States Maritime Administration and in the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) with the American government, and they had a Navy escort who intervened to prevent damage and is escorting them back to the Gulf of Aden.
CENTCOM confirms the attacks
Later, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that missiles were indeed fired at "US-owned and operated" ships.
CENTCOM blamed the Houthis for the attack, saying they fired "three anti-ship ballistic missiles." One of the missiles impacted the sea, while the other two were intercepted and shot down by the USS Gravely (DDG 107), a guided missile destroyer.
"There were no reported injuries or damage," they stated.
Houthis Attack Commercial Shipping Vessel with Anti-Ship Missiles
On Jan. 24 at approximately 2 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the U.S.-flagged, owned, and operated… pic.twitter.com/nlAJgVDgDU
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 24, 2024
MLL decides to suspend its trips through the region
Maersk Line, Limited announced that it will suspend its operations in the Red Sea due to the risk it poses to its crews.
"Following the escalation of risk, MLL is suspending transits in the region until further notice. The safety of our crews is of utmost importance," the company reported, ensuring they are developing a contingency plan.
More than 30 Houthi attacks since November
The United States, along with more than 20 countries, recently issued a statement condemning the more than thirty "illegal and reckless attacks" carried out by the Houthis since November against commercial and naval vessels crossing the Red Sea.
"We condemn these attacks, and demand an end to them. We also underscore that those who supply the Houthis with the weapons to conduct these attacks are violating UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law," indicates the statement supported by the Governments of Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania and the United Kingdom.
