Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen killed three civilians aboard a Barbadian and Liberian cargo carrier on Wednesday, according to U.S. officials. This marks the group's first fatal strike on a commercial vessel since it began a string of attacks on key shipping lanes in the region in protest of Israel's war against Hamas.
At about 11:30 a.m. local time, the Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile at the Barbados-flagged and Liberian-owned bulk carrier True Confidence as it sailed through the Gulf of Aden, south of Yemen, the officials said.
U.S. Central Command confirmed that the missile hit the vessel, resulting in three fatalities among the multinational crew. Additionally, at least four injuries were reported, with three individuals in critical condition, and the ship sustained significant damage, according to the statement.
CENTCOM stated that the crew deserted the damaged vessel, and coalition warships are currently evaluating the situation. This refers to an American-led group of military ships deployed in the region to counter Houthi attacks.
The group acknowledged its responsibility for the strike in its own statement, attributing it to “American-British aggression” and expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
Before the deadly strike on Wednesday, the Houthis had targeted or menaced commercial vessels at least 66 times since November 19, as per U.S. defense officials.
During the same period, U.S. Navy warships in the area intercepted over 116 incoming missiles, unmanned aerial attack vehicles, and waterborne drones directed at commercial or Navy vessels.
To counter the Houthis, the U.S. and U.K. have conducted four significant large-scale airstrikes since early January to diminish the group's offensive capabilities, following demands from the U.S. and other nations for the group to halt its aggression in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The most recent of these operations took place on February 24th.
Besides the large-scale strikes, the U.S. has conducted 39 “dynamic strikes” on missiles and drones being readied for launch from Yemen since January 11, with four of them executed in collaboration with U.K. forces, as reported by the Pentagon.
