The US military on Thursday slammed Yemen’s Houthis for an attack on a vessel that an injured at least one mariner.
Iran-backed Houthis fired two anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden, which struck a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said the M/V Verbena was most recently docked in Malaysia and was en route to Italy carrying wood construction material.
The attack caused a fire on the ship, which is currently still blazing. One civilian mariner was severely injured before a US aircraft from the USS Philippine Sea medically evacuated the injured mariner to a partner force ship for treatment.
“The Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and yet they are targeting and threatening the lives of third country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza,” CENTCOM said.
CENTCOM said the “continued reckless behavior” by the Houthis threatens regional stability and said the attacks make it harder for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Yemen and to Gaza.
The US military vowed to continue to target the Houthis to degrade their military capabilities.
