Three killed in first fatal attack on Red Sea shipping by Yemen’s Houthis
The multinational crew of a merchant ship that was hit by a Houthi-launched ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden reported three fatalities and at least four injuries, the US military said on Wednesday.
The US Central Command also said in a statement the missile hit caused “significant damage” to the ship.
Earlier in the day, British and US officials said two seafarers were killed in the attack.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, which set the Greekowned, Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence ablaze around 50 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen’s port of Aden.
In a statement on X directly responding to the Houthi claim, Britain’s embassy wrote: “At least 2 innocent sailors have died. This was the sad but inevitable consequence of the Houthis recklessly firing missiles at international shipping. They must stop.”
“Our deepest condolences are with the families of those that have died and those that were wounded.”
A senior US official also confirmed two sailors had died. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Washington would continue to hold the Houthis accountable for attacks on international shipping following Wednesday’s deadly assault.
In a press briefing, Miller declined to specify whether the latest attack would spark a new round of retaliation by the US.
The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November in what they claim is a campaign in solidarity with Palestinians during the war in Gaza.
Britain and the United States have been launching retaliatory strikes against the Houthis, and the confirmation of fatalities could lead to pressure for stronger military action.
Earlier, a shipping source said four mariners had been severely burned and three were missing after a missile hit the ship.