Houthi missiles hit two ships in Gulf of Aden, US military says

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

Missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels hit two ships in the Gulf of Aden, authorities said Sunday, the latest attacks on ships in the region.

An anti-ship ballistic cruise missile struck the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Forward Station Norderney on Saturday evening, starting a fire that those on board put out, the US military's Central Command said. He added that a second anti-ship cruise missile also hit the Norderney.

The British Army's Maritime Commercial Operations Center also reported the attack and firing in the same area off Aden, saying “damage control is underway.”

The Houthi military spokesperson, Brigadier-General. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack in a pre-recorded video message Sunday, saying the ship was targeted by both missiles and drones. Tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed the Norderney was still in the Gulf of Aden as of Sunday afternoon.

In a second attack, a Houthi ballistic missile hit the Tavvishi, a Liberian-flagged container ship owned and operated by Switzerland, in the Gulf of Aden, according to central command. Saree claimed the attack took place in the Arabian Sea, but provided no evidence. Tracking data suggests that the Tavvishi was in the Gulf of Aden at the time of the attack.

The “Tavvishi reported damage but continued on its way,” the central command said. A second ballistic missile fired by the Houthis at the ship was intercepted by a coalition warship, the statement added.

(P.A.)