The U.S. Central Command clarified on Wednesday that the Houthis fired six ballistic missiles at two ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They added that one ship reported minor damage with no injuries. The command stated in a post on its platform "X" that "Iran-backed Houthi militants launched six anti-ship ballistic missiles from areas they control in Yemen towards the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden."
The Greek-owned MV Star Nasia, a cargo vessel flying the Marshall Islands flag, was targeted by three of the ballistic missiles that attempted to strike it while crossing the Gulf of Aden yesterday morning. The ship reported an explosion near it, indicating that one of the three missiles fell nearby, causing minor damage without any injuries. Later, another missile fell in the waters close to the ship without any impact.
Additionally, the USS Laboon (DDG 58), which was operating near the MV Star Nasia, intercepted a third anti-ship ballistic missile launched by the Houthis yesterday evening, although the ship continued on its course.
The remaining three ballistic missiles were believed to be aimed at the MV Morning Tide, a British-owned cargo ship flying the Barbados flag operating in the southern Red Sea. The command confirmed that the missiles fell in the waters near the ship without any impact and without reports of injuries or damage. It is worth noting that the Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, announced on Tuesday that the targeted Star Nasia ship was American, insisting that "the hits were precise and direct."
