United States forces have shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile that Houthi rebels allegedly fired at a Maersk ship in the Gulf of Aden.
The US-flagged 2,500 TEU Maersk Yorktown was being escorted by the US Navy as it carried out feedering between Oman and Djibouti.
US Central Command said that the ABSM was shot down at 3 am Yemen time on 9 April.
It said, “The ASBM was likely targeting the MV Maersk Yorktown, a US-flagged, US-owned vessel being escorted by US warships USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Mason (DDG 87). There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships.”
Maersk Line confirmed the incident, but said that it could not be certain that the Houthis were aiming Maersk Yorktown.
The Danish operator’s statement said, “Maersk has received reports on a Houthi missile landing approximately 10 nautical miles from Maersk Yorktown (a US-flagged vessel operated by Maersk Line, Limited) on 9th April at early morning hours, Sanaa time, while the vessel was transiting in the Gulf of Aden. There was no indication that the Maersk Yorktown was the intended target. The vessel was under protection of coalition forces and proceeded along its route without interruption.”
After being idle for a few days, the Iran-backed Houthis appear to be back with a vengeance, warning of a wider danger area as they will continue attacking ships believed to be supporting Israel.
On 6 April, Houthis fired at two of MSC ships and a boxship owned by Borealis Maritime.