Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have conducted multiple new anti-ship ballistic missile attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The United States Central Command (Centcom) announced this in a note released this morning on social media.
“On February 6, from approximately 1.45am to 4.30pm. (Arabic Standard Time) Iran-backed Houthi militants fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen towards the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” the statement said.
Centcom states that “three of the ASBMs were attempting to strike the MV Star Nasia, a Greek-owned and operated Marshall Island-flagged bulk carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden. At approximately 3.20am, the MV Star Nasia reported an explosion near the vessel causing minor damage but no injuries. At 2pm another missile hit the water near the ship without any effect. At 4:30 pm, USS Laboon (DDG 58), operating near the MV Star Nasia, intercepted and shot down a third anti-ship ballistic missile launched by the Iranian-backed Houthis. The MV Star Nasia remains seaworthy and continues towards its destination.”
The remaining three ASBMs were likely targeting the MV Morning Tide, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned merchant vessel operating in the southern Red Sea. The three missiles hit the water near the ship without any effect. The MV Morning Tide is continuing its journey and reports no injuries or damage.
