A Greek owned and operated merchant ship in the Red Sea reported being struck by three anti-ship ballistic missiles launched on Tuesday by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, as confirmed by US Central Command.
The merchant vessel Laax sustained the missile strikes but managed to continue its voyage without any reported injuries, according to a statement released by CENTCOM.
Simultaneously, US forces took action to neutralize a threat posed by Houthi drones in the same region. Five drones launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen were intercepted and destroyed over the Red Sea. These drones were deemed to pose an imminent danger to merchant vessels navigating the area, as highlighted in the official statement.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and security risks in the Red Sea region, particularly concerning the activities of Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. The targeted attack on the merchant ship and the subsequent drone interception by US forces serve as a reminder of the volatile nature of the maritime environment in this strategic waterway.
Efforts to safeguard commercial shipping lanes and ensure the safety of vessels operating in the Red Sea remain a top priority for international maritime security forces. The incident involving the Laax and the Houthi drone interception demonstrate the complex challenges faced by maritime operators in navigating these waters amidst regional conflicts and security threats.
