U.S. Central Command introduced Saturday that Houthis in Yemen fired two ballistic missiles “toward” two U.S. warships within the Crimson Sea whereas they aiding a service provider ship that had been beforehand struck by a Houthi missile. One of many U.S. ships, the usGravely, shot down the 2 ballistic missiles. There was no report that the ships retaliated.
The Biden administration not too long ago introduced a brand new coalition to guard delivery within the Crimson Sea from Houthi assaults known as Operation Prosperity Guardian, nonetheless the coalition is having points, Reuters reported this week (excerpt):
Two of America’s European allies who had been listed as contributors to Operation Prosperity Guardian — Italy and Spain — issued statements showing to distance themselves from the maritime power.
The Pentagon says the power is a defensive coalition of greater than 20 nations to make sure billions of {dollars}’ price of commerce can movement freely by way of a significant delivery chokepoint in Crimson Sea waters off Yemen.
However practically half of these international locations have thus far not come ahead to acknowledge their contributions or allowed the US to take action. These contributions can vary from dispatching warships to merely sending a employees officer.
…The Crimson Sea is the entry level for ships utilizing the Suez Canal, which handles about 12 % of worldwide commerce and is important for the motion of products between Asia and Europe. Houthi assaults have seen some ships rerouted round Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, considerably rising crusing time and prices.
Photographs of the ships concerned within the assault:
🚨🇺🇸 USS GRAVELY allegedly shoots down two anti-ship ballistic missiles whereas “responding to Houthi attack on merchant vessel”.
MAERSK HANGZHOU “reported” that they had been struck by a missile whereas transiting the Southern Crimson Sea.
Final UKMTO experiences are bizarre … pic.twitter.com/xNOyFqAGUT— Navy Eye (@MilitaryEye) December 31, 2023
CENTCOM assertion:
USS GRAVELY shoots down two anti-ship ballistic missiles whereas responding to Houthi assault on service provider vessel.
At the moment at roughly 8:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported that they had been struck by a missile whereas transiting the Southern Crimson Sea. The Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned/operated container ship requested help, and the usGRAVELY (DDG 107) and USS LABOON (DDG 58) have responded to the ship. The vessel is reportedly seaworthy and there are not any reported accidents.
Whereas responding, the usGRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen towards the ships.
That is the twenty third unlawful assault by the Houthis on worldwide delivery since Nov. 19.
USS GRAVELY shoots down two anti-ship ballistic missiles whereas responding to Houthi assault on service provider vessel.
At the moment at roughly 8:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported that they had been struck by a missile whereas transiting the Southern Crimson Sea. The… pic.twitter.com/nUgifhkdC8
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2023
To date the Biden administration has not attacked any Houthi base for firing on ships within the Crimson Sea over the previous three months.
