ALBAWABA - According to U.S. military sources, the Houthis fired two missiles on Monday at an allegedly Iran-bound cargo ship in the Red Sea, causing minor damage to the vessel but no injuries.
The early morning bombings appeared to be the first time the Houthis had attacked an Iran-bound vessel since they began attacking international commerce in sympathy with Palestinians over the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, sources told Reuters.
"Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired two missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Bab al-Mandeb. Both missiles were launched toward MV Star Iris, a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel transiting the Red Sea carrying corn from Brazil," CENTCOM said in a post on X.
"The ship reports being seaworthy with minor damage and no injuries to the crew. Of note, the MV Star Iris’s destination is Bandar Iman Khomeini, Iran." CENTCOM officials said.
The Houthis earlier announced attacking the U.S. Star Iris ship in the Red Sea. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that the naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted the American ship Star Iris in the Red Sea with several suitable naval missiles, and the strikes were accurate and direct.
According to an incident report from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the attack took place before 0400 local time. "The crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to the next port of call," the UK Ministry of Transport said.
Another security firm, Ambrey, stated that the ship was a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greece-owned bulk carrier that "was targeted by missiles in two separate incidents" within 20 minutes.
It "was reportedly hit and sustained physical damage on the starboard side," according to Ambrey, who added that a private armed security crew was aboard.
