Vessel 'hit by missile from above' near Yemen

15 January 2024 , 14:31

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A vessel in the Red Sea (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A vessel has been hit from above by a missile near the Yemeni city of Aden, the UK Maritime Trade Operations has reported.

The ship is believed to be American-owned, according to intelligence firm Ambrey, and although the missile has caused a fire in the hold, it remains seaworthy. Ambrey added that no casualties had been reported and that the ship was not linked with Israel.

A targeted air strike by the UK and American forces aimed at taking out weaponry held by the Houthi rebels, saw most of the stash survive a White House officials claim. The blitz on the drone and missile stashes last week destroyed 90% of those targeted but the Iran-backed group retains three-quarters of its ability to fire on ships transiting the Red Sea, two US officials have said.

The two unnamed US officials warned over the weekend that even after hitting more than 60 missile and drone targets with more than 150 precision-guided munitions, the strikes had damaged or destroyed only about 20 to 30% of the Houthis’ offensive capability, much of which is mounted on mobile platforms and can be readily moved or hidden.

Update by the UKMTO

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said Britain needs to "wait and see" what happens after the joint air strikes. He added the UK must "consider" whether it "has to take further action" to repel Houthi attacks.

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Mr Shapps said the actions by the Houthi rebels in Yemen are akin to "thuggery" as he refused to rule out taking part in further co-ordinated air strikes. Mr Shapps said the attacks have been "completely unacceptable", with ships from more than 50 nations affected.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the Government would "not hesitate" to protect security in the Red Sea. The Prime Minister, speaking on a visit to Essex, said: "Our aim is to de-escalate tensions in the region and actually restore stability back to the area.

"We faced an escalating series of attacks from the Houthis on commercial shipping, including an attack on a Royal Navy warship. That's unacceptable. It's right that we took proportionate, targeted action against military targets to send a strong message that that behaviour is unacceptable.

"It was a last resort, it came after the end of exhaustive diplomatic activity including a UN Security Council. Now, I think it is incumbent on the Houthis to recognise the international condemnation for what they are doing and desist. But we, of course, will not hesitate to protect our security where required."

Kelly-Ann Mills