Houthi Missile Attack On Cargo Ship Kills 3, Claims US (image-X/CENTCOM)
According to the US military, at least three seafarers have been killed in a Houthi missile attack on a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden, near Yemen. This marks the first fatality reported since the Iran-aligned Yemeni group initiated attacks against ships in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes amid Israel’s conflict with Gaza.
The targeted vessel, the Liberian-owned and Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence, was engulfed in flames approximately 50 nautical miles (93 kilometres) off the coast of Yemen’s Aden port. The attack resulted in significant damage to the ship, with the US military Central Command confirming “three fatalities, at least four injuries, of which three are in critical condition.”
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that their missile fire ignited the vessel. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, asserted that such attacks would persist until the “siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted.”
Following the missile strike, the crew members abandoned the ship and deployed lifeboats. According to The Associated Press, efforts from a US warship and the Indian Navy were underway to assist in rescue operations.
On Wednesday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated that the cargo ship was no longer under the command of the crew as the crew had abandoned it.
One Indian, four Vietnamese, and 15 Filipino nationals were among the crew of 20 people on the ship. Along with them, there were three armed guards, two Sri Lankans and one Nepali national.
The United Nations urged the Houthis to cease all assaults on international shipping in the Red Sea. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric emphasised the grave risks posed “to property, to life, and to ecology in the area” due to these attacks, according to an Al Jazeera report.
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
Since mid-November, Houthi fighters in Yemen have continuously launched drones and missiles against international commercial shipping, citing solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza. Consequently, these attacks have disrupted global shipping routes, compelling companies to reroute around southern Africa, incurring additional expenses and delays.
Owned by the Liberian-registered company True Confidence Shipping and operated by the Greece-based Third January Maritime, True Confidence has no affiliation with the US, based on a statement released by the two firms. The ship was previously owned by Oaktree Capital Management, a Los Angeles-based fund.
The Houthis have continued launching significant attacks despite US-led air raids for almost two months. Last month, the group attacked the Rubymar, a fertiliser-carrying cargo ship. The ship sank on Saturday after days of drifting, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars for the US.
