US cargo ship off Yemen is hit by a missile from Iranian-backed Houthi militants

Monday, January 15, 2024 – A US commercial ship was hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen on Monday, according to US and UK officials.

US Central Command said Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.S.-owned and operated container ship.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) first reported there had been an 'incident' 95 nautical miles southeast of Aden, though details of the incident remain scarce.

That report only said the ship’s captain reported that the 'port side of vessel hit from above by a missile,' but did not identify the ship or elaborate. It is currently not known who was behind the attack and an investigation has been launched.

Private intelligence firm Ambrey said a US-owned bulk carrier carrying a Marshall Islands flag had been hit by the missile. The firm claimed the vessel remained seaworthy and there were no injuries.

It comes less than a day after Yemen's Houthi rebels launched an attack against an American destroyer in the Red Sea.