Houthi Militants Strike US-Owned Ship in the Gulf of Aden
In a disturbing turn of events, Houthi militants launched an anti-ship ballistic missile at a US-owned and operated container ship on Monday. The vessel, identified as the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, was struck at approximately 4 p.m. local time. The missile, fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, hit the ship but thankfully caused no injuries or significant damage.
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According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the ship is continuing its journey without any disruptions. The attack marks the latest escalation in tensions in the critical Middle Eastern waterways, following several retaliatory attacks by the Yemeni militia group against US targets.
The Gibraltar Eagle, a bulk carrier sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, is owned by a Connecticut-based company. It is the first American-owned ship to be hit by a Houthi missile during the Iranian-backed militia’s months-long assault on maritime traffic in the waters surrounding Yemen.
Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East and an ABC News analyst, labeled the attack as a “blatant act of terrorism.” He emphasized that the Houthis are resorting to violence against civilian targets to advance their political aims.
Despite recent airstrikes by the US and the UK aimed at diminishing the Houthis’ capabilities, the group has shown resilience and the ability to mount counterattacks. Gen. Douglas Sims II, the director of operations of the Joint Staff, acknowledged that the militants’ capabilities have been degraded but warned that they still pose a threat.
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In response to the latest attack, Mulroy believes that more action needs to be taken to eliminate Houthi targets along the Yemen coast. He argues that radar, launch, and storage sites must be completely destroyed to prevent further attacks.
The Biden administration initially hesitated to respond militarily, as the Houthis were not seen as directly targeting US holdings. However, that changed after the group launched a barrage of drones and missiles in early January. The Houthis claimed to have targeted an American ship providing support to Israel, although this claim has been disputed.
Despite international condemnation, the Houthis remain steadfast in their attacks, demanding an end to Israel’s siege on Gaza. They consider all American and British ships and warships participating in the aggression against Yemen as hostile targets.
It is worth noting that many of the ships struck by the Houthis have little to no connection to Israel, as confirmed by the Israeli government and international registries tracking commercial shipping vessels.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, it is crucial for the international community to find a diplomatic solution and ensure the safety of maritime traffic in these critical waterways..
