A missile launched from Yemen targeted a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden yesterday, resulting in two deaths and six injuries among the crew, as reported by a US official.
The attack inflicted "significant damage" on the Liberia-owned vessel, which flies the Barbados flag. The crew reported at least two fatalities and six wounded members before abandoning the ship.
Ambrey, a British maritime security firm, reported receiving an alert about an explosion near a cargo ship located approximately 57 nautical miles southwest of Aden, Yemen.
Ambrey advised other commercial vessels to maintain a distance from the area. A US defense official noted smoke rising from the cargo ship off Yemen's southern coast and mentioned the sighting of a lifeboat near the vessel, though no further details were provided.
Before this incident, the British Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of a commercial ship being detained by a group claiming to be the "Yemeni Navy," which directed the crew to alter their course southwest of the city of Aden.
The UKMTO stated on its "X" platform account that the detention lasted about half an hour, but did not disclose the ship's subsequent route.
The US military reported earlier that it had intercepted a missile and three drones aimed at a US destroyer in the Red Sea.
The Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that it shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile and three offensive drone systems launched from Houthi-controlled areas towards the USS Carney, causing no injuries or damage to the ship.
US forces later destroyed three anti-ship missiles and three maritime drones in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Yemen warned of the environmental hazard posed by the wreckage of the British ship "Rubimar," which sank earlier this month.
The statement highlighted the risk not only to Yemen's and other Red Sea countries' ecosystems but also to the safety of navigation in this critical waterway.
The embassy condemned the attack on the "Rubimar" as another example of the Houthis' disregard for the lives of maritime crews and Yemeni civilians, urging an immediate halt to these detestable attacks.
In light of the environmental disaster caused by the sinking ship, Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak emphasized the need for more effective and sustainable mechanisms by the United Nations and its agencies to address the crisis.
This was discussed during his meeting with Edem Wosornu, the Director of Operations and Advocacy for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and her delegation in Aden.
The UN official confirmed their focus on the "Rubimar" situation and collaboration with the crisis cell and international community to mitigate the disaster.
Since November 19, Houthi forces have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, prompting joint US and British strikes on various Houthi locations in Yemen since January 12 to deter further attacks and protect maritime navigation.
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