US strikes Houthi target in Yemen after attack on British oil tanker

US forces struck an anti-ship missile in Houthi-held Yemen that they said was ready to fire early yesterday, hours after the Iran-backed rebels caused a fire on a British tanker in the Gulf of Aden with a similar munition.

US and British forces have launched joint strikes aimed at reducing the Houthis’ ability to target vessels transiting the key Red Sea trade route – attacks the rebels say are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is at war with Hamas.

Washington has also carried out a series of unilateral air raids, but the Huthis have vowed to continue their attacks.

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had carried out another strike early yesterday morning on a Houthi “anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea and which was prepared to launch”.

“Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in selfdefence,” it added in a statement on social media platform X.

The previous evening, the British oil tanker the Marlin Luanda was hit by missiles fired by Yemeni naval forces, said the Houthis’ military spokesperson, Yahya Saree. “The strike was direct, and resulted [in] the burning of the vessel,” he added.

CENTCOM later confirmed the hit, saying: “The ship issued a distress call and reported damage. USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships have responded and are rendering assistance. No injuries have been reported at this time.”

Earlier on Friday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen towards the Carney in the Gulf of Aden, CENTCOM said.

“The missile was successfully shot down by USS Carney. There were no injuries or damage reported,” it added.