On Monday, the Houthis attack on a U.S. ship in the Gulf of Aden escalated maritime tensions. The ship was the target of a missile attack originating from Yemen.

The vessel, identified as the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier owned by Eagle Bulk based in Stamford, Connecticut, was struck by an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Iranian-backed Houthi militants.

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Houthis attack US Ship

U.S. Central Command posted a statement on X claiming that the attack occurred on January 15 at approximately 4 p.m.

A missile hit the vessel in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Despite the intensity of the attack, there were no reported injuries or significant damage to the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, which is currently continuing its journey.

The global shipping industry has been affected, especially amidst Israel's conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, impacting a crucial corridor connecting Asian and Middle Eastern energy and cargo shipments to the Suez Canal and Europe.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), responsible for overseeing Middle East waters, confirmed the attack, specifying its location approximately 110 miles southeast of Aden.

Investigations are underway, and vessels are advised to transit with caution, reporting any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

Recent Houthi Missile Strikes

This marks the 30th attack on commercial vessels by the Houthis since November 19th, heightening tensions in the Red Sea following American-led strikes on the rebels. 

Since U.S. strikes on Houthi rebels, there have been multiple missile firings towards international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Notably, on January 14th, a U.S. fighter jet intercepted a cruise missile aimed at the USS Laboon in the southern Red Sea.

In addition to the attack on the Gibraltar Eagle, a second missile was fired from Yemen on the same day, not entering commercial shipping lanes.

Houthis Claim responsibility

 The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack when Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree in a televised address, threatened that "The Yemeni armed forces consider all American and British ships and warships participating in the aggression against our country as hostile targets."

The U.S. may retaliate for the latest attacks. Last week President Joe Biden said he “will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”

The frequency of attacks against U.S. forces and commercial vessels has surged since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7th, further complicating the maritime security landscape in the region.