Yemen: Missiles Fired at US Navy Ship From Houthi Territory

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Facts

  • US Central Command reported that two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen on Monday morning toward the location where the Navy destroyer USS Mason was rescuing a commercial boat, called the M/V Central Park, from an attempted hijacking by Somali Pirates in the Gulf of Aden.1
  • The missiles landed about ten nautical miles away from the vessels, causing no damage or injuries. While the Yemeni government blamed the Iran-backed Houthis for the attack, the rebels didn't take credit for either the seizure or the missile.2
  • US Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters that the Pentagon is still assessing whether the destroyer was the intended target of the attack, as well as whether the five Somali suspect pirates who attacked the commercial vessel over the weekend have any ties to the Houthi rebels.3
  • The suspicion comes as the Houthis have vowed to target Israel over its war against Hamas in Gaza, firing several missiles and drones toward Israel following its retaliatory campaign in response to the Oct. 7 attack.4
  • Last week, Houthi naval forces renewed a warning to ships in the Red Sea waving the Israeli flag, managed by Israeli companies, or owned by Israelis, as well as to any military units providing protection to Israeli ships.5
  • M/V Central Park is a chemical tanker managed by London-based company Zodiac Maritime, whose controller is allegedly the Israeli-born shipping magnate Eyal Ofer. The ship and the 22 crew members are reportedly safe and unharmed.6

Sources: 1Business Insider, 2Al Jazeera, 3Politico, 4BBC News, 5CNN and 6The New York Times.

Narratives

  • Anti-Iran narrative, as provided by New York Post. Though shocking, this missile attack isn't surprising at all. Since the Israel-Hamas war began, Iranian-backed forces have attacked US and coalition troops in the Middle East dozens of times. Because maritime security is crucial to regional stability, the US and its allies will work incessantly to ensure safety and prevent further escalations in the conflict.
  • Pro-Iran narrative, as provided by Tasnim News Agency. It's quite absurd to claim that Iran has anything to do with incidents such as this missile incident. The Houthi-led Yemeni forces are taking measures to express support for the Palestinian cause as well as to counter Israeli aggression in the region.

Predictions