The attack left five others injured marking the first fatalities reported since the Iran-aligned Yemeni group began attacks against shipping in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes over the Gaza war.
At least three seafarers have been killed in a Houthi missile attack on a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden, the United States military said.
The attack left five others injured marking the first fatalities reported since the Iran-aligned Yemeni group began attacks against shipping in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes over the Gaza war.
According to a US Military statement posted on X on Wednesday night, Yemeni missiles struck the merchant vessel True Confidence in the Gulf of Aden, adding that the crew had to abandon the ship, which was at risk of sinking.
Houthis Kill Innocent Civilians with Missile Attack
At approximately 11:30 a.m. (Sanaa time) Mar. 6, an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) was launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward M/V True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned… pic.twitter.com/W1H0GP4Y6i
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 6, 2024
The Houthis, styling themselves the government of Yemen, began targeting Israeli-linked ships in late October, protesting the military operation against the Palestinians in Gaza. They added American and British ships in January after the two countries launched air and missile strikes against Yemen.
Titled: "Houthis Kill Innocent Civilians with Missile Attack," the statement partly read, "At approximately 11:30 a.m. (Sanaa time) Mar. 6, an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) was launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward M/V True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier, while transiting the Gulf of Aden.
"The missile struck the vessel, and the multinational crew reports three fatalities, at least four injuries, of which three are in critical condition, and significant damage to the ship.
"The crew abandoned the ship and coalition warships responded and are assessing the situation.
"This is the fifth ASBM fired by Houthis in the last two days. Two of these ASBMs impacted two shipping vessels - M/V MSC Sky II and M/V True Confidence - and one ASBM was shot down by USS Carney (DDG 64).
"These reckless attacks by the Houthis have disrupted global trade and taken the lives of international seafarers."
Confirming the attack, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, said that the True Confidence was struck “after the ship’s crew ignored the Yemeni naval forces’ warning messages.”
“The strike was precise, by the grace of Allah, leading to a fire outbreak on board,” Saree said.
He also warned all ships “to respond to the calls of the Yemeni naval forces, and all crews of the targeted ships must quickly depart after the first strike.”
Maritime tracking showed True Confidence on approach to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday evening before making a sharp turn back towards the Gulf of Aden.
The vessel was registered in Liberia, which is a popular flag of convenience for merchant ships, but its owner has been reported as the US-based multinational Oaktree Capital Management LLC.
Earlier this week, the British-owned bulk carrier Rubymar sank in the Gulf of Aden, almost two weeks after being struck by Houthi missiles and evacuated. It was the first ship sunk by the Houthis since the beginning of their campaign.
Most Western shipping companies have rerouted their traffic around Africa in response to the Houthi attacks, which have driven up insurance premiums.
The Houthis initially fired warning shots only at vessels owned by, or headed towards, Israel. They expanded the targeting list in mid-January, after the first US-UK strikes. Undeterred, the Yemeni group has declared it will end its operations only when Israel stops attacking Gaza.