The Yemen-based Houthi militant group fired three ballistic missiles at a Malta-flagged, Greece-owned container ship in the Red Sea, the U.S. military and maritime security agencies said Monday.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) identified the ship as the MV Cyclades, saying there were no injuries on board.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said an explosion hit close to the ship, causing some damage, but that the ship was safe and heading to its next port of call.
Private security firm Ambrey said the ship was traveling from Djibouti to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and that it was targeted “due to its listed operator’s ongoing trade with Israel.”
The Houthis have conducted attacks since November in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
CENTCOM also said Monday it destroyed a Houthi aerial drone that was flying toward a U.S. Navy destroyer and a U.S. Navy cruiser in the Red Sea.
“It was determined the UAV presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels in the region,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
