Missiles Fired From Yemen Hit US-Owned Cargo Ship

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Facts

  • A US-owned cargo ship with Marshall Islands flags called the M/V Gibraltar Eagle was struck by a missile launched from a Houthi-controlled part of Yemen and suffered 'limited damage,' according to the vessel’s US operator Eagle Bulk Shipping1
  • According to the UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the ship was hit 95 nautical miles southeast of the Yemeni city of Adan.1
  • UKMTO said the strike was launched 'in response to strikes by the US and UK on Houthis in Yemen.' UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that all 13 US-UK strikes on Houthi targets have been hit with no civilian casualties reported.2
  • Following the incident, the US Navy said there's 'a high degree of risk to commercial vessels' between the 12th parallel north and the 16th parallel north of the Red Sea, adding that ships should 'remain north' of the 18th parallel north.3
  • The US-led strikes came in response to more than 24 Houthi strikes against commercial ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis have also launched unsuccessful attacks against US Navy ships, including one missile fired at the U.S.S. Laboon destroyer ship Sunday, which was shot down by an American fighter jet.4
  • Although the US last week knocked out around 30 Houthi sites, they reportedly still have about 75% of launch capacity left.4

Sources: 1Sky News, 2BBC News, 3Al Jazeera and 4New York Times.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by BBC News. The Western coalition has repeatedly warned the Houthi terrorists to not attack civilian cargo ships. Not only are these vessels non-military ships, but many aren't even linked to Israel, despite the Houthis’ claims. By forcing countries to reduce cargo shipments through the Red Sea, the Houthis are sabotaging the global economy, and they must be stopped.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. US and UK strikes aren’t going to deter the Houthis, who are using their stated solidarity with the Palestinians to legitimize themselves on the world stage. Instead, the West should focus on getting Israel to call off its siege of Gaza because attempting to bomb the Houthis into acquiescence isn't likely to work.

Predictions