New Delhi: A US-owned cargo ship fell victim to a missile strike off the coast of Yemen on Monday, as confirmed by both a British security agency and the maritime risk company Ambrey. This event occurred a day after Houthi rebels targeted a US destroyer with a cruise missile.Official report by UK maritime trade operationsThe United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations security agency released an official report, stating that a vessel [was] hit from above by a missile. The report, available on their website, refrained from providing intricate details surrounding the incident.Confirmation by UKTMOAmbrey, a British maritime risk company, reported a resulting fire on the Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier. Despite the fire, the vessel remains seaworthy, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. Ambreys assessment points towards the attack being a response to recent US military strikes on Houthi military positions in Yemen. Importantly, the vessel is clarified as assessed to not be Israel-affiliated.Social media users circulate old footageMeanwhile, an earlier footage of ship which was hit off the Sri Lankas Colombo port and suffered an explosion is being shared widely across social media platforms. It appears that an X user named Matt Wallace originally posted the news of the Houthi missile attack alongwith the video along with the description. However, othre users joined an ever continuing race to post it without giving proper context.Wallace wrote specifically wrote in caption, The footage attached is being used as a placeholder to depict a ship on fire because no footage of the current event is available yet at the time of posting. The video below is of a container ship that suffered an explosion a few years ago off the port of Colombo, Sri Lanka. 🚨 WW3 HIGH ALERT 🚨A US-owned cargo ship was just hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen ⚠️The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations security agency reported it as a vessel hit from above by a missile on its website.According to Ambrey, a British maritime risk… pic.twitter.com/m2BanI1rzS— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) January 15, 2024What did UKTMO sayUnited Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKTMO) posted two important pieces of information. In the first update, the maritime watchdog said, UKTMO has received a report of an incident 95NM South East of Aden, Yemen. Master reports port side of the vessel hit from above by a missile. Autjprities are investigating, Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKTMO.In the following update it said, UKTMO has received a report of an incident 95NM South East of Aden, Yemen. Master reports port side of the vessel hit from above by a missile. Vessel and crew ARE SAFE. vessel proceeding to next port of call. Vessels are adviced to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKTMO.Houthi rebels targets, US military respondsThe Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have not issued an immediate statement regarding this latest incident. It follows their unsuccessful attempt to target a US military ship with a cruise missile, which was successfully intercepted on the previous day. The rebels have been conducting such actions in protest of the Israel-Hamas conflict, focusing on Israel-linked shipping.As the situation unfolds, maritime security and international responses will be closely monitored. The repercussions of these attacks on the regions geopolitical landscape are anticipated to garner global attention.
