Houthi rebels launch ballistic missiles at US-owned ship in Red Sea, third time in the week

Houthi rebels launch ballistic missiles at US-owned ship in Red Sea, third time in the week. Representative Picture

Yemen-based Houthi rebels have reportedly launched missiles at a U.S.-owned merchant vessel for the third time this week, Pentagon claimed. The attack targeted the M/V Chem Ranger, a U.S.-owned ship flying under a Marshal Islands flag.

The incident occurred at approximately 9 p.m. local time on Thursday, with Houthi rebels firing two anti-ship ballistic missiles. Both missiles landed in the water near the ship, causing no injuries or damage to the Chem Ranger, CBS News reported. The exact location of the ship during the attack has not been confirmed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have been engaged in a series of drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels in and around the Red Sea, as well as the Gulf of Aden. The group claims that these actions are in support of Palestinians since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in Gaza. Israel has killed over 25,000 Palestinians since the beginning of the war on October 7.

U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had issued warnings of unspecified "consequences" for the Houthi rebels, and on January 12, the U.S. launched the first in a series of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Despite these efforts, the rebels have persistently vowed to continue their assaults in the Red Sea.

Earlier this week, on Monday, the Houthis fired a missile at the M/V Gibraltar Eagle in the southern Red Sea, causing an inconsequential fire in the ship's hold. On Wednesday night, a Houthi-fired drone struck the M/V Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden, resulting in some damage but no injuries.

President Biden, responding to the ongoing situation, indicated on Thursday that the strikes against the Houthis would continue. In a recent move, the State Department announced the reclassification of the Houthis as a "specially designated global terrorist group" on Wednesday. This decision reversed part of the State Department's earlier move in February 2021, which had removed that designation.

Also read: Qatari PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warns US over strikes in Yemen

The White House has consistently accused Iran of involvement in the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, an allegation that Tehran vehemently denies. However, the Pentagon reported seizing a boatload of "advanced conventional weapons" sent from Iran to the Houthis over the weekend. The situation remains fluid, with the international community closely monitoring developments in the region.