Merchant ship targeted in Yemen. US destroyer thwarts two missile strikes
6:23 AM EST, December 31, 2023
The under-attack merchant ship, a container vessel owned by a Danish company and sailing under the Singaporean flag, reported a missile strike. Two American ships, USS Gravely and USS Laboon, responded to the distress signal, according to an announcement made by CENTCOM on platform X.
Ship still operational
"USS Gravely shot down two ballistic anti-ship missiles launched from Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen," revealed CENTCOM's report. The report further highlighted that this marks the 23rd unauthorized Houthi attack on international maritime transportation since November 19th.
CENTCOM cited reports asserting that the attacked vessel remains operational; no reports of injuries have been received so far.
Houthi fighters have posited their attacks as a show of support for the Palestinian Hamas faction against Israeli incursions into the Gaza Strip. This particular action was in response to a harsh Hamas-led assault on Israel dated October 7th.
"A loud bang accompanied by a flash"
In response to a distress call from the Maersk Hangzhou, a merchant vessel of Danish registration, American destroyers Gravely and Laboon were dispatched.
The United Kingdom's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) disclosed that they received a report about an incident in the Red Sea, approximately 63 miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. The ship's captain reported a "loud bang accompanied by a flash" and several explosions in the vicinity.
