The U.S.-owned and operated container ship, M/V Gibraltar Eagle, faced an anti-ship ballistic missile strike off the coast of Yemen.
The strike, attributed to Houthi-controlled areas, occurred at approximately 4 p.m. local time. Remarkably, the vessel reported no injuries or significant damage and continued its journey unscathed.
This incident unfolded shortly after the U.S. and U.K. executed joint strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The vessel, flagged under the Marshall Islands, was struck southeast of Aden, prompting authorities, including the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, to initiate investigations.
Amid rising tensions, ships in the region are advised to transit with caution, and any suspicious activity is to be reported. This follows a series of attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi group on ships in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade and eliciting international condemnation.
According to British maritime security firm Ambrey, three missiles were reportedly launched by the Houthis, with two missing their mark and one hitting the M/V Gibraltar Eagle.
The vessel was traversing the westbound lane of the International Recommended Transit Corridor, a vital shipping route through the Gulf of Aden. The missile ignited a fire in one of the ship’s holds.
Ambrey speculates that the attack targeted U.S. interests in response to recent military strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen. No group has officially claimed responsibility for the strike.
Last week, U.S. and U.K. forces conducted airstrikes on over 60 targets at Houthi militant locations, including missile launch sites, production facilities, and radar systems. These strikes came after the Houthis persisted in targeting maritime vessels in the Red Sea, defying warnings.
The Houthis, not internationally recognized as the government of Yemen, control significant parts of the country, including the strategically crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait, linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Their opposition to U.S. and Israeli influence in the Middle East continues to escalate tensions in the region.
