Houthi rebels strike US-owned cargo ship Gibraltar Eagle off coast of Yemen

Houthi rebels strike US-owned cargo ship Gibraltar Eagle off coast of Yemen

By abc.net.au
17/01/2024
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack against the bulk carrier Gibraltar Eagle, saying all US and British ships were targets. (AP)

A ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels has hit a US-owned ship just off the coast of Yemen in the latest attack on commercial vessels in the region.

Monday's attack on the Gibraltar Eagle further escalated tensions gripping the Red Sea after American-led strikes on the rebels.

It came less than a day after the rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile towards an American destroyer in the Red Sea.

The Houthi attacks, which come amid Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, have disrupted global shipping in a crucial corridor bringing Asian and Middle Eastern energy and cargo shipments to the Suez Canal and onward to Europe.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which oversees Middle Eastern waters, said the attack happened 177 kilometres south-east of Aden.

It said the ship's captain reported that the "port side of [the] vessel [was] hit from above by a missile".

houthi-sm

A Houthi fighter stands on the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea, which was seized in November 2023. (Houthi Military Media handout via Reuters)

Private security firms Ambrey and Dryad Global told The Associated Press the vessel was the Gibraltar Eagle, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier.

The US military's Central Command later acknowledged the strike.

"The ship has reported no injuries or significant damage and is continuing its journey," Central Command said.

Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the group was responsible for the strike.

"The Yemeni armed forces consider all American and British ships and warships participating in the aggression against our country as hostile targets," he said in a television address aired on Monday night.

US and UK forces hit Houthi targets across Yemen last week in retaliation for months of Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. Australia also played a supporting role in the strikes.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the strikes were unrelated to the war in Gaza.

Previously, the Houthis said their attacks targeted Israeli-linked vessels in response to Israel's invasion of Gaza.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Sunak said the UK's "limited" strikes were a direct response to Houthi attacks on international shipping.

"We shouldn't fall for their malign narrative that this is about Israel and Gaza," he said.

"They target ships from around the world. We continue to work towards a sustainable ceasefire [in Gaza] to get more aid to civilians."

By AP/ABC

Original article link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-16/houthi-rebels-strike-us-ship-yemen-coast-israel-gaza-hamas-war/103323120

FEATURE NEWS
Pension should be calculated on full salary, not on suspended rate - Bainimarama
Former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama told High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar in a special court hearing this morning that his pension should...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Say no to drugs, think of your future – Tudravu
A heartfelt plea to reject drugs and consider the long-term consequences was delivered by Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu during his address as ...
2 hours ago

FNPF amendment allows members to rejoin twice after withdrawal – Prof. Prasad
The amendment to the FNPF Act will allow members to rejoin FNPF once they withdraw if they later get back into employment. This was highlighted by ...
2 hours ago

FRCS partners with Vodafone to accept M-PAiSA payments
To promote digital payments and reduce cash use in Fiji, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service now accepts M-PAiSA payments at all its branches and ...
4 hours ago

iTaukei GDP per capita strong but needs strategic boost – Rabuka
The iTaukei GDP per capita is in good standing, however, to sustain and enhance this progress, it is imperative that strategic policies and new ...
4 hours ago

Inmate finds new purpose through painting, acknowledges Yellow Ribbon Program
As the Yellow Ribbon Program continues, inmate Anil Chand says painting has given him a new mindset and a renewed sense of purpose. Speaking to ...
4 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
2025-2026 National Budget Debate
Parliament has officially passed the 2025–2026 National Budget, with 75 percent of Members of Parliament voting in favour of the budget, matching ...
1 day ago

Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
10 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
12 days ago

TOP