(RIghtallegiance.com) – In response to an attack on a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.S.-owned container ship, the United States military executed a targeted strike against Houthi targets in Yemen. This retaliatory action took place following a missile launch against U.S. vessels in the Red Sea. U.S. officials confirmed that the strike specifically targeted a Houthi-owned cache of anti-ship ballistic missiles.
The incident unfolded on January 16, at approximately 1:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), when Iranian-backed Houthi militants launched an anti-ship ballistic missile from their controlled areas in Yemen into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea. The missile targeted the M/V Zografia, a Maltese-flagged bulk carrier. Fortunately, the vessel reported being struck but remained seaworthy, continuing its transit through the Red Sea. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in connection with this attack.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, on January 15, the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.S.-owned, and operated container ship, faced an attack. This prompted U.S. forces to take action, striking and destroying four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles at approximately 4:15 a.m. (Sanaa time) on January 16. These missiles were poised for launch from Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen, posing an imminent threat to both merchant and U.S. Navy ships in the region.
The missiles in question, reportedly supplied by Iran, were being readied for use against merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This marks a significant development as it is the first confirmed strike by the U.S. military against Houthi infrastructure in Yemen.
The Houthi forces, claiming responsibility for ongoing attacks on merchant vessels, have escalated their threats by indicating a potential expansion of targets to include U.S. and British vessels. Their actions are framed within a broader campaign aimed at supporting Hamas in its conflict against Israel.
A prior incident on Sunday involved Houthi rebels firing an anti-ship cruise missile towards a U.S. warship in the Red Sea. Fortunately, the missile was intercepted and shot down by a U.S. fighter jet. This event took place around 4:45 p.m. local time and originated from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas in Yemen, near the city of Hodeida—a Red Sea port long held by the Houthis.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the missile interception, stating that it occurred in the vicinity of the coast of Hudaydah. Importantly, no injuries or damage were reported in connection with this incident. This marked the first acknowledged attack by the U.S. against the Houthis since the initiation of strikes by the U.S. and its allies in response to weeks of assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.
In the wake of these events, shipping through the Red Sea has experienced a slowdown due to heightened security concerns. The U.S. Navy issued a warning to American-flagged vessels to avoid areas around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for a specified period following the initial airstrikes.