Missiles Launched by Houthis Damage 2 Cargo Ships in Gulf of Aden - CENTCOM

Combination image showing the container ship M/V Tavvishi and cargo ship M/V Norderney, which were reportedly hit by missiles launched by the Houthi militia on Sunday as they sailed through the Gulf of Aden. (Social media photos)

The Houthis, attacked two cargo ships in the Gulf of Aden with anti-ship missiles, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday, adding that the ships stayed afloat after reporting damage.

"In the past 24 hours, Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. One ASBM struck M/V Tavvishi, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss owned and operated container ship… Separately, Iranian-backed Houthis launched one ASBM and one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden. Both missiles struck M/V Norderney, an Antigua and Barbados flagged, German owned and operated cargo ship," the command said in a statement on X.

June 9 U.S. Central Command Update

In the past 24 hours, Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. One ASBM struck M/V Tavvishi, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss owned and operated container… pic.twitter.com/BPjasLjpOj

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 9, 2024

The two ships reported damage but stayed afloat, the statement added.

Earlier reports quoting marinetraffic.com, which provides information on ships and their positions, said the Norderney was traveling from India to Lebanon and was in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday.

Yemen’s Houthi militia claimed on Sunday they attack two merchant vessels for defying the militia’s embargo on traveling to Israeli ports.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a television statement that their forces also targeted the UK warship HMS Diamond with ballistic missiles in the Red Sea in response to the US-UK joint strikes on militia positions in Yemen.

The Houthis have been launching attacks on commercial and military vessels in the region for months, in response to Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. The attacks prompted the United States to form a multinational coalition to protect shipping in the area, as well as to strike Houthi targets on the ground.

The Houthis control the most populous parts of Yemen and have attacked merchant ships since November in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The militants have sunk one ship, seized a different vessel and killed three crew members in a yet another attack.

Their campaign has disrupted global shipping by forcing vessels to avoid the nearby Suez Canal and reroute trade around Africa. The action also has stoked fears that the Israel-Hamas war could spread and destabilize the wider Middle East.

“Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden” over the past 24 hours, @CENTCOM said Sunday.
“One ASBM struck M/V Tavvishi, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss owned and operated container ship. M/V Tavvishi…

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) June 9, 2024