Commercial ships targeted by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Gulf of Aden

Over the weekend, two commercial ships were attacked by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, bringing the total number of launched attacks since Nov. 19, 2023 to over 175.

Earlier this month, Houthi attacks intensified following joint U.S.-U.K. strikes on several Houthi locations, including a weapons storage facility, missile launchers, and a command-and-control center in Yemen.

Houthi locations were targeted by joint strikes involving F-18 fighter jets from the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier.

On Sunday, U.S. Central Command announced that the Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Yemen into the Gulf of Aden over the weekend.

A Liberian-flagged, Swiss-owned container ship, M/V Tavvishi, was struck by one of the ASBMs.

Despite being damaged in the strike, the M/V Tavvishi has continued to sail towards its destination.

A coalition ship destroyed the second ASBM before it could attack its target.

One ASBM and one ASCM were launched into the Gulf of Aden during a second and separate Houthis attack.

The M/V Norderney, a German-owned and operated cargo ship registered in Antigua and Barbados, was hit by two missiles, according to a statement from Central Command.

The M/V Norderney also sustained damage but continued toward its destination.

No injuries were reported in either cargo ship strike.

Since late October, the Houthis have been attacking shipping vessels in the Red Sea, citing Israel's ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip as the reason for their actions.

The Houthis have carried out over 50 attacks on ships since November, resulting in the deaths of three sailors, the capture of one vessel, and the sinking of another, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.

In response to the attacks, the Pentagon launched an international mission called Operation Prosperity Guardian in December to counter the Houthi attacks.

Planet Chronicle Digital’s Bradford Betz contributed to this report.