After the group struck an oil tanker, U.S. forces launched an attack against a Houthi anti-ship missile in Yemen that was ready to be launched early on Saturday. The missile was backed by Iran.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on Friday that an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden was struck and damaged by a ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen; no casualties were reported.
Approximately at 3:45 a.m. On January 27, at local time, American forces discovered a Houthi missile that, according to CENTCOM, was "ready to launch" and posed an immediate threat to American and merchant ships. nearby naval vessels.
“U.S. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defense,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The Houthi missile attack happened on Friday at approximately 7:45 p.m. local time and hit the oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. The USS Carney and other coalition ships responded to the ship's distress signal, which it had sustained, and offered help.
The attack by the Houthis was the most recent in a string of assaults on ships passing through one of the busiest commerce lanes on the planet.
Houthi fighters targeted the USS Carney earlier on Friday. According to CENTCOM, they fired one anti-ship ballistic missile towards the destroyer, which was able to shoot it down and prevent any casualties or damage.
The US was the goal. The Navy ship was launched one day after three missiles were fired by Houthi troops at a container ship flying the American flag that was departing the Gulf of Aden. The USS Gravely shot down two of the missiles, and one missed and dropped into the sea.
About two months ago, the Houthi movement—aligned with Iran and designated as a terrorist organization by the US—started assaulting vessels in the area, claiming that they were acting in support of Palestinians in Gaza during Israel's military campaign there.
Since Hamas's horrific strikes against Israeli border communities on October 7, Israel has been fighting to destroy the organization in Gaza. Like the Houthis, Hamas is classified as a terror organization by the United States.
According to UNCTAD, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, freight passing through the Suez Canal has decreased by an astounding 45% in the last two months due to Houthi missile strikes against cargo boats in regional waterways.
In reaction to the threat posed by Houthi missiles, shipping corporations have redirected their ships out of the Red Sea.
Three important international trade channels are currently disrupted as a result of the Houthi activities, according to Jan Hoffmann, UNCTAD's head of trade logistics, who made this announcement on Thursday.
The Black Sea's grain and oil trade has been hampered by Russia's invasion of that country, while the Panama Canal's low water levels due to the drought have affected shipping, which decreased by 36% in December compared to the same month last year.
At a press conference on Thursday, Mr. Hoffmann expressed his "great concern" to the media while cautioning that the disruption to shipping would likely lead to more inflationary pressures.
Even though spot container prices rose by over $500 in the most recent week, they are still only around half of what they were at their highest point during the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to Mr. Hoffmann, it often takes a year for customers to pay increased freight prices.
Since 2004, the internationally recognized government of Yemen has been at odds with the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, a Shiite movement.
The Houthis have now shifted their focus to the current Israel-Hamas conflict, attacking Israeli-affiliated merchant ships with missiles and drones in an attempt to obstruct Israeli operations in Gaza.
The Iranian government is suspected by the U.S. administration of providing funds and supplies to the Houthis.
Despite applauding the recent Houthi attacks, Iran has denied providing the organization with weapons or aiding in its attack planning.
