Yemen’s Houthi rebels resume attacks on shipping following two-week lull

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have resumed their attacks against shipping in the Gulf of Aden following a lull of more than two weeks, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed.

CENTCOM said in an update via X (formerly Twitter) that, at 11:51 local time on Wednesday, April 24, a coalition vessel successfully engaged one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen over the Gulf of Aden.

CENTCOM added that the ASBM was likely targeting Maersk Yorktown, a US-flagged, -owned, and -operated container vessel with 18 US and four Greek crewmembers. There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships.

The UK Royal Navy said in a separate statement that the destroyer HMS Diamond successfully intercepted a missile fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen after it was determined that it was targeting a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden that same day.

Separately, between 12:07 and 13:26, CENTCOM successfully engaged and destroyed four airborne unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

CENTCOM said it was determined that the ASBM and UAVs presented an imminent threat to US, coalition, and merchant vessels in the region.

The command added that these actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US, coalition, and merchant vessels.