US shoots down Red Sea missiles after report of ship explosion

USS Labun in Turkish waters. It was one of two US warships that responded to missiles from the Houthi-controlled area. Photo: Muhammad Genjebay Gur/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The US Navy shot down two missiles heading towards a container ship in the southern Red Sea and The missile was launched from areas of Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels, according to US Central Command. Another ship later reported an apparent attack.

The Singapore-flagged, Danish-flagged container ship Maersk Hangzhou reported Saturday that it had been hit by a missile, and the USS Gravely and USS Laboon responded to the ship. CENTCOM said in a message on X previously posted on Twitter.

The Gravely was shot down by two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, CENTCOM said.

The ship was reported to be seaworthy and no casualties were reported, CENTCOM said.

p>This is the 23rd apparent Houthi attack on international shipping since November 19, according to CENTCOM.

USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles in response to Houthi actions. attack on a merchant ship.

Today at approximately 20:30. (Sanaa time) the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported being hit by a missile while passing through the southern Red Sea. … pic.twitter.com/nUgifhkdC8

— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2023

Maesrk later said in a statement to maritime website gCaptain that “when the vessel was 55 nautical miles to southwest of [Hodeidah], Yemen, the crew reported seeing a flash on deck. .

However, there are no signs of fire on board the vessel, and we are currently working to determine all the details of the incident. The vessel is fully maneuverable and continues to sail north.

“Ensuring the safety of our crew is our top priority,” the statement said.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) also noted incident with the ship, reports Reuters.

The captain on Saturday reported a «loud bang accompanied by a flash at the bow of the vessel» and several explosions. in the immediate vicinity of the area, the UKMTO said in an advisory note.

No damage was reported and all crew were reported to be safe. The vessel left the area at full speed and headed to the next port of call, the note said.

UKMTO later received a report of an attack on another vessel 60 nautical miles northwest of Hodiedah in the Red Sea, it said advisory note on Sunday.

UKMTO said an unidentified vessel reported being attacked on its port side by three small boats and shots were exchanged. However, it says all crew are safe.

The Danish government has announced a plan to send the frigate to participate in the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian at the end of January if parliament approves the decision.

Related with Iran, the Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have disrupted global trade for weeks by attacking ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab strait at the southern tip of the Red Sea in what they say is a response to Israel's war in the Gaza Strip.

Several shipping lines have suspended operations through the Red Sea in response to the attacks, instead taking longer journeys around Africa.

The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel stops its offensive . conflict in the Gaza Strip and warned that it would attack US warships if the militia group itself were targeted.