US Marines blasted an anti-ship missile in Houthi-held Yemen that they said was ready to launch early Saturday, hours after the Iran-backed rebels set fire to a British tanker in the Gulf of Aden with a similar munition.
US and British military have conducted a joint operation to reduce the Houthis’ capacity to target vessels transiting the critical Red Sea trade route, which the rebels claim are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is at war with Hamas.
Washington has also conducted several unilateral air operations, although the Houthis have promised to continue their attacks.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had carried out another attack early Saturday morning on a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea which was prepared to launch.
“Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defense”, the CENTCOM continued.
Yahya Saree, the Houthis’ military spokesman, stated, “The British oil tanker the Marlin Luanda was hit by missiles launched by Yemeni naval troops”.
Saree went on to say, “The strike was direct, and resulted (in) the burning of the vessel”.
CENTCOM later acknowledged the collision, stating, “The ship issued a distress call and reported damage. USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships have responded and are rendering assistance. No injuries have been reported at this time”.
“Earlier on Friday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen towards the Carney in the Gulf of Aden”, CENTCOM reported.
“The missile was successfully shot down by USS Carney. There were no injuries or damage reported”, CENTCOM noted.
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