In a significant maritime incident, a ship owned by Eagle Bulk, a Stamford, Connecticut-based firm traded on the New York Stock Exchange, was hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the attack occurred approximately 110 miles southeast of Aden.
The ship’s captain reported that the port side of the vessel was hit from above by a missile, resulting in a fire on board the Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier. The UKMTO has initiated an investigation into the incident and has cautioned vessels in transit to exercise “extreme caution.”
According to Ambrey, a British maritime risk company, the attack is believed to be a response to recent US military strikes on Houthi military positions in Yemen. The company assessed that the vessel was not Israel-affiliated. Eagle Bulk, the owner of the targeted ship, is a well-known shipping company with a presence on the New York Stock Exchange.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, known for their missile capabilities, have not immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, this incident follows a pattern of Houthi missile launches in the region. Previously, the Houthis fired an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea, which was successfully intercepted by a US fighter jet.
The US has attributed the recent missile attack to Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, emphasizing that the missile was fired from areas near Hodeida. The targeted vessel was not Israel-affiliated, indicating that the attack was possibly directed at US interests.
Houthi rebels have strategically targeted the crucial corridor connecting Asian and Middle Eastern energy and cargo shipments to the Suez Canal, extending onward to Europe. This tactic is seen as a show of support for Hamas amidst Israel’s ongoing conflict with the group in the Gaza Strip.
As tensions escalate in the region, the international community closely watches for further developments and responses to this targeted attack on a US-owned ship. The incident adds to concerns about the safety and security of maritime routes in the volatile waters surrounding Yemen.
Sources By Agencies
