THREAD: houthi missile

HOUTHI MISSILE Strike on US and Israeli Vessels Heightens Maritime Tensions

26 April 2024 — The Houthis have targeted three ships, including a U.S. destroyer and an Israeli container ship, heightening tensions in crucial maritime routes. Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea announced plans to disrupt shipping to Israeli ports across multiple seas. CENTCOM confirmed the attack involved an anti-ship missile aimed at the MV Yorktown but reported no casualties or damage.

In response, U.S. forces intercepted four drones over Yemen, identified as threats to regional maritime safety. This action highlights ongoing efforts to protect international shipping lanes from Houthi hostilities. The situation remains tense with continued military engagements in this key area.

An explosion near Aden has underscored the unstable security conditions impacting maritime operations in the region. British security firm Ambrey and UKMTO have observed these developments, which align with increased Houthi hostility towards international shipping following the onset of the Gaza conflict

US NAVY SAVES the Day: Huthi Missile Attack on Oil Tanker Thwarted

18 February 2024 — The Huthis, a rebel group based in Yemen, announced that they had targeted a British oil tanker, named the Pollux, in the Red Sea using missiles. The US Central Command (CENTCOM), however, clarified that this vessel is actually Danish-owned and registered in Panama.

CENTCOM confirmed that from areas of Yemen under Huthi control, four anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched. It was reported that at least three of these missiles were directed towards MT Pollux.

In reaction to this looming threat, CENTCOM successfully executed two self-defence strikes against one mobile anti-ship cruise missile and one mobile unmanned surface vessel located in Yemen. This incident happened just as Washington’s reclassification of the Huthis as a terrorist group became official along with related sanctions.

This event underscores the importance of vigilance and quick action in maintaining security on international waters. It also highlights Washington’s commitment to combating terrorism globally.

RUSSIAN Oil Tanker ENGULFED: Houthi Missile Strike Sparks Fear in Gulf of Aden

30 January 2024 — A Houthi missile strike recently ignited a Russian oil tanker, the Marlin Luanda, in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel was carrying Russian naphtha when it was targeted. The attack resulted in a fire breaking out in one of the cargo tanks. Fortunately, the blaze was put out promptly and no crew members were injured.

The incident prompted immediate reactions from other vessels in the area. Another oil tanker quickly reversed its course to escape potential danger. Meanwhile, U.S Central Command (CENTCOM) took action to neutralize an imminent threat posed by a Houthi anti-ship missile towards merchant and U.S Navy vessels operating nearby.

The attack has had economic repercussions as well, causing a 1% surge in oil prices due to concerns over potential disruptions to oil flow through the Red Sea region. This event marks the most severe Houthi assault on oil tankers till date and serves as a stark reminder that even Russian oil is not safe from Yemen’s Iran-backed insurgents’ attacks.

Interestingly, despite targeting a vessel carrying Russian cargo managed by London-based Oceonix Services Ltd., Houthis claimed their target was actually a “British ship”. This discrepancy could potentially fuel geopolitical tensions moving forward.

US STRIKES BACK: Protecting Commercial Ships from Houthi Missiles in Yemen

18 January 2024 — The US has launched strikes on roughly a dozen missiles owned by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, an official stated. These missiles were reportedly being primed to target commercial ships navigating the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

This move comes after a previous US strike on a stockpile of anti-ship ballistic missiles, owned by the Houthis. The action was taken in direct retaliation to a missile fired at US vessels present in the Red Sea.

Houthi forces have openly claimed responsibility for ongoing attacks on merchant vessels and have issued threats against US and British ships. Their campaign is part of their support for Hamas against Israel.

This recent attack by the Houthis is the first one acknowledged by the US since they initiated strikes last Friday. This follows weeks of relentless assaults on shipping within the Red Sea region. Stay tuned as we continue to provide updates on this developing story.

US-Owned Ship UNDER FIRE: Houthi Rebels Escalate Red Sea Tensions

16 January 2024 — In a recent escalation of Red Sea tensions, Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on a U.S.-owned ship, the Gibraltar Eagle. The strike occurred off Yemen’s coast in the Gulf of Aden and comes less than a day after an anti-ship cruise missile targeted an American destroyer in the same area. Responsibility for these attacks has been claimed by the Houthis, following American-led strikes against rebel forces.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that this latest attack happened approximately 110 miles southeast of Aden. The captain of the ship reported that a missile struck the port side from above. Private security firms Ambrey and Dryad Global identified the attacked vessel as Eagle Gibraltar, registered under Marshall Islands’ flag as a bulk carrier.

The U.S military’s Central Command has confirmed this strike but reports no significant damage or injuries aboard Eagle Gibraltar which continues its voyage undeterred. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, Houthi military spokesman, took responsibility for this attack during his televised address on Monday night.

Saree declared all American and British ships involved in aggression against Yemen as hostile targets during his address. These attacks are causing disruptions to global shipping amidst Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza — impacting vital routes linking Asian and Middle Eastern energy and cargo shipments to Europe via Suez

LEBANON STRIKES: Hezbollah’s Deadly Missile Attack Rattles Israel Amidst Gaza Conflict

14 January 2024 — A lethal anti-tank missile, launched from Lebanon, claimed the lives of two civilians in northern Israel this past Sunday. This alarming incident has ignited concerns over a potential second front emerging amidst the ongoing clash between Israel and Hamas.

This strike marks a grim milestone — the 100th day of a war that has tragically taken nearly 24,000 Palestinian lives and forced approximately 85% of Gaza’s population from their homes. The conflict was sparked by an unexpected Hamas incursion into southern Israel last October, leading to around 1,200 fatalities and roughly 250 hostages.

The region remains on edge as daily fire exchanges persist between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. Meanwhile, Iranian-backed militias target U.S. interests in Syria and Iraq as Yemen’s Houthi rebels threaten international shipping lanes.

Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, remains defiant vowing to persist until a Gaza cease-fire is established. His declaration comes as countless Israelis evacuate northern border regions due to escalating aggression.

US-UK STRIKES on Yemen’s Houthi Rebels: A Stern Warning of Fierce Retaliation

13 January 2024 — Yemen’s Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, have issued a stern warning. They assert that the joint airstrikes conducted by the US and UK will not be left unanswered. The ominous message came from Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree and deputy foreign minister Hussein al-Ezzi, who warned both nations to brace for a severe backlash.

The strikes reportedly claimed five lives and injured six among the Houthis’ military forces in areas of Yemen under their control. The UK acknowledged successful strikes on a site in Bani used for drone launches by the Houthis, as well as an airfield in Abbs used to launch cruise missiles and drones.

In a related move, the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions on two firms based in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. These firms are accused of shipping Iranian commodities for Sa’id al-Jamal, an Iran-based financial facilitator for the Houthis. Four vessels owned by these companies were identified as blocked property.

President Biden authorized these strikes as a direct response to unprecedented attacks by Houthis against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea

FINAL WARNING: Yemen’s Houthi Launches Armed Drone at US Navy, Ignites Tensions

05 January 2024 — A drone, armed and unmanned, was launched from Yemen under Houthi control. It came dangerously close — within a few miles — to U.S. Navy and commercial vessels before exploding on Thursday. This alarming incident unfolded mere hours after the White House and its allies issued a stern “final warning” to the Iran-backed militia group. They warned of potential military action if such attacks persisted.

This event marks a first for the Houthis — their initial use of an unmanned surface vessel (USV) since they began harassing commercial ships in the Red Sea following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, as stated by Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads U.S. Navy operations in the Middle East. Fabian Hinz, an expert in missile technology and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, highlighted that these USVs form a crucial part of Houthi’s maritime weaponry arsenal.

Since late October last year, there has been an increase in aggression from Houthis with numerous attack drones and missiles targeted at commercial vessels traversing through Red Sea waters. In retaliation to these attacks, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Operation Prosperity Guardian this past December 2022; additional ships were deployed to safeguard commercial vessels navigating through Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

NAVY’S Mightiest Warship USS Gerald R Ford Heads Home: Leaving Middle East Amid Rising Houthi Threats

02 January 2024 — America’s largest naval vessel, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is preparing to sail back home from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This move comes in the wake of an attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7th and forms part of a broader assessment of global force positioning by defense authorities.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower will stand as the only U.S. aircraft carrier in the region, given escalating attacks by Yemen-based Houthis on commercial ships navigating Middle Eastern waters. The Houthis justify these assaults as retaliation to Israel’s military actions against Hamas in Gaza.

Over the past weekend, U.S Navy helicopters from both USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely thwarted a Houthi hijacking attempt in Southern Red Sea, sinking three out of four boats involved after responding to a distress signal from Maersk Hangzhou.

In light of intensifying threats from Houthis, an international task force has been established by U.S military to protect commercial vessels navigating these volatile waters. The Biden administration continues to assert that Iran is providing intelligence support to Houthis for these attacks.

UKRAINE’S Crushing Blow: Russian Warship Decimated by Air-Launched Missile Attack

27 December 2023 — On Christmas Day, Ukraine demonstrated its formidable military might. The country claimed a significant victory, saying it had annihilated another Russian warship, the Ropucha-class Novocherkassk, using an air-launched cruise missile. Russia confirmed the assault on their landing ship from the 1980s, which is comparable in size to the U.S.-made Freedom-class warship. They reported one casualty from this attack.

Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk of the Ukrainian Air Force praised his pilots’ exceptional performance. He observed that Russia’s naval fleet continues to dwindle in size.

Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian armed forces, disclosed further details about this strike. He revealed that fighter jets unleashed a volley of Anglo-French Storm Shadow / SCALP cruise missiles at their target. Their goal was for at least one missile to bypass Russian air defenses successfully. The magnitude of the resulting explosion indicated that onboard ammunition likely detonated.

Ukrainian state media circulated footage allegedly showing a massive explosion and towering fire column following the initial hit — evidence suggesting onboard ammunition

US and UK GEAR UP for Imminent Strikes on Yemen’s Houthi Forces: A Tense Standoff Unfolds

20 December 2023 — The United States and the United Kingdom are making strategic moves near Yemen, hinting at a potential offensive against the Houthi forces. This includes positioning sensitive air and naval assets in the region, alongside a U.S.-led naval task force.

The Iran-backed Houthis have recently escalated tensions by launching multiple attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Red Sea. These assaults have severely disrupted international shipping routes, compelling many companies to reroute their vessels around Africa’s southern tip. This diversion has led to increased time and costs.

While specific details about the military forces positioned closer to Yemen are not disclosed, it is confirmed that both strike and supporting platforms are involved. The Eisenhower carrier strike group is currently stationed off the Yemeni coast with four F/A-18 fighter squadrons and an electronic warfare squadron.

Given these developments, it appears increasingly probable that strikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen will be executed by U.S. and U.K. forces in the near future.

Norwegian Tanker UNDER SIEGE: Houthi’s Shocking Protest Against Israel

12 December 2023 — The Houthi movement in Yemen, an ally of Iran, announced on Tuesday that they targeted a Norwegian oil and chemical tanker with a rocket. This recent attack is their latest form of protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The ship, Strinda, was hit after its crew “ignored all warning calls,” said Houthi military spokesperson Yehia Sareea.

Sareea also stated that the Houthis will continue to disrupt ships heading towards Israeli ports. Their demand? They want Israel to permit the entry of food and medical supplies into the Gaza Strip — over 1,000 miles away from their stronghold in Sanaa.

The attack on Strinda took place about 60 nautical miles north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait — an essential sea lane for global oil shipments. The U.S. military’s Central Command confirmed on Tuesday that an anti-ship cruise missile “launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen” struck the Strinda.

RED SEA Chaos: Iranian-Backed Houthis Unleash Missile Attacks on Commercial Ships, US Destroyer Strikes Back

04 December 2023 — Central Command has verified four missile attacks on three commercial ships in the Red Sea. One of these was an Israeli-owned vessel. The Houthis in Yemen initiated the attacks, but they were “fully backed by Iran,” according to a statement released Sunday. The USS Carney, a U.S. destroyer, retaliated by shooting down two drones.

The assaults started at 9:15 a.m. local time when the Carney detected an anti-ship missile launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen at the M/V Unity Explorer. This ship is flagged by Bahamas and U.K owned with crew members from two nations. However, USNI News and Balticshipping.com report that Tel Aviv-based Ray Shipping owns it.

Around noon, Carney responded to and shot down a drone also launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. Central Command stated that it was uncertain whether the drone specifically targeted CARNEY or not but confirmed no damage to the U.S vessel or injuries to personnel.

These attacks pose a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security,“ Central Command said in its statement. It added that it would consider appropriate responses ”in full coordination with its international allies and partners.