NEW DELHI: A coalition ship on Thursday successfully intercepted an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) fired Iranian-backed Houthi “terrorist-controlled areas” in Yemen towards the Gulf of Aden, the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) said.
“The ASBM was likely targeting the MV Yorktown, a US-flagged, owned, and operated vessel with 18 US and four Greek crew members,” USCENTCOM said in a statement.
“There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships,” it added.
US CENTCOM also said it “successfully engaged and destroyed four airborne unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen”.
The ASBM and UAVs presented an imminent threat to US, coalition, and merchant vessels in the region, it said.
Yemen’s Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea region since November, claiming it as a show of support for Palestinians battling Israel in Gaza.
Recently, the British maritime security firm Ambrey reported an incident near the port city of Aden, an area frequently attacked by the Houthis, who allege connections to Israel or the United States. An explosion was observed in the water around 72 nautical miles east-southeast of Djibouti, according to Ambrey.
The Houthi assaults have disrupted global shipping via the Suez Canal, leading global companies to opt for longer and more expensive routes around southern Africa.
( with input from agencies)
“The ASBM was likely targeting the MV Yorktown, a US-flagged, owned, and operated vessel with 18 US and four Greek crew members,” USCENTCOM said in a statement.
“There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships,” it added.
US CENTCOM also said it “successfully engaged and destroyed four airborne unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen”.
The ASBM and UAVs presented an imminent threat to US, coalition, and merchant vessels in the region, it said.
Yemen’s Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea region since November, claiming it as a show of support for Palestinians battling Israel in Gaza.
Recently, the British maritime security firm Ambrey reported an incident near the port city of Aden, an area frequently attacked by the Houthis, who allege connections to Israel or the United States. An explosion was observed in the water around 72 nautical miles east-southeast of Djibouti, according to Ambrey.
The Houthi assaults have disrupted global shipping via the Suez Canal, leading global companies to opt for longer and more expensive routes around southern Africa.
( with input from agencies)
