CENTCOM Confirms Houthi Missile Attack on Maersk Ship in Bab-el-Mandeb Strait

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that a ballistic missile was fired from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen towards the international shipping route north of Bab-el-Mandeb, causing no damage or casualties. On Wednesday, CENTCOM posted on social media platform X that after the missile was launched towards the 'Maersk Gibraltar' ship flying the Hong Kong flag, the Houthis threatened further missile attacks. Earlier on Thursday, the Associated Press reported, citing an anonymous U.S. military official, that the missile landed near the 'Maersk Gibraltar' ship and did not cause any damage. The Danish shipping company Maersk rejected claims made by the Iran-backed Houthis of a drone attack on a Maersk cargo ship heading towards Israel shortly after the news was released. The company also stated that the 'Maersk Gibraltar' was targeted by a missile while traveling from the Port of Salalah in Oman to the Port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, but the ship was unharmed and all crew members are safe. In recent weeks, the Houthis have attacked ships passing through the Red Sea and have also launched drones and missiles at Israel. They have recently warned that they will target any ship originating from or destined for Israel. A U.S. official stated that Washington is seeking to form the 'widest possible' maritime coalition to counter Houthi attacks. An American warship shot down a Houthi drone. Two missiles were fired at a tanker in the Red Sea from Houthi-controlled territory. A Norwegian-flagged tanker was attacked near Yemen as part of the expanding Houthi rebel attacks. The Iran-backed Houthis threatened: 'We will target all ships heading to Israel.' Bloomberg reported that the United States is considering military options to counter the Houthis in Yemen.