Houthi Attack on Two U.S.-Flagged Ships Near Yemen; CENTCOM: No Damage Reported

Two U.S.-flagged ships carrying cargo for the U.S. Department of Defense and State Department were targeted by an attack on Wednesday, January 24, near Yemen. In this regard, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that Houthis supported by the Islamic Republic launched three anti-ship ballistic missiles at the two cargo ships, 'Maersk Detroit' and 'Maersk Chesapeake,' one of which hit its target while the other two were intercepted and destroyed. According to the statement, there were no casualties or material damage. The Associated Press reported that the Houthis have significantly increased the risk of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East by attacking ships passing through the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The United States and Britain have conducted several rounds of airstrikes to stop Houthi attacks. Many Western experts believe that Houthi attacks on ships are carried out at the behest of the Islamic Republic and with military and intelligence support from Tehran. The Houthis claim these attacks are in support of the people of Gaza. Additionally, see: Senior U.S. military official: The Islamic Republic has a 'direct role' in Houthi attacks on ships. Some critics of President Joe Biden's administration have called for the U.S. government to directly attack Islamic Republic positions in response to the increase in attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East and Houthi actions. Some of them say that the Islamic Republic has an intelligence ship in waters near Yemen that assists the Houthis in carrying out attacks on cargo ships. The U.S. recently announced the seizure of a maritime shipment containing Iranian weapons that had been used in Houthi attacks on ships. The Danish shipping company 'Maersk,' whose two ships were targeted on Wednesday, stated in a release to the Associated Press that the U.S. Navy was escorting the two ships at the time of the attack. Maersk reported that both ships observed explosions nearby, and the U.S. Navy intercepted several projectiles. According to the statement, the crew of the ships and their cargo are safe. The U.S. Navy has returned both ships and is escorting them to the Gulf of Aden. Maersk stated that both ships were carrying cargo belonging to the U.S. Department of Defense and the State Department, as well as other government agencies. The company noted that these ships are operated by 'Maersk Line,' one of Maersk's subsidiaries in the U.S., and that it will halt transit in that area until further notice. The Wall Street Journal: Houthis in Yemen are being equipped with advanced Iranian weapons. CENTCOM reported the destruction of two Houthi anti-ship missiles early Wednesday. Houthi warning to American and British citizens: Leave Yemen within 30 days. The U.S. and Britain have once again attacked 'Houthi targets' in Yemen. The U.S.: Houthi claims of a 'successful attack' on an American ship are 'clearly false.'