Three people were reportedly killed and several others injured after an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen struck bulk carrier M/V True Confidence in the Gulf of Aden late on Wednesday.
The crew abandoned the Barbados-flagged, Liberia-owned vessel following the attack, which caused significant damage. At least three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
U.S. Central Command said on X that coalition warships were responding and “are addressing the situation.”
It added: “This is the fifth ASBM fired by Houthis in the last two days. Two of these ASBMs impacted two shipping vessels — M/V MSC Sky II and M/V True Confidence — and one ASBM was shot down by USS Carney.
“These reckless attacks by the Houthis have disrupted global trade and taken the lives of international seafarers.”
While the attacks have driven many freight carriers to avoid the Red Sea/Suez Canal/Mediterranean route to Europe and the U.S. east coast, some persist, as the alternative Cape of Africa route is longer and can add up to two weeks to a journey.
“This situation has led to an immediate contraction in market capacity and a surge in shipping ...