U.S. Forces Strike Back After Houthi Attack on Merchant Vessel

U.S. forces launched a series of self-defense strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen after the Iranian-backed terrorist group fired missiles at a Singapore-owned merchant vessel on Monday.

The U.S. Central Command posted on “X” that between 8:50 a.m. and 12:50 p.m. on March 11, the Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at the MV Pinocchio, a Singaporean-owned containership sailing under a Liberian flag. Fortunately, the missiles missed their target, causing no injuries or damage.

Hours later, CENTCOM forces carried out six self-defense strikes, destroying an unmanned underwater vessel and 18 anti-ship missiles in Houthi-held areas in Yemen.

A spokesperson for Yemen’s internationally recognized government told Reuters that airstrikes attributed to a U.S.-British forces killed at least 11 people and injured 14 in western Yemen.

Monday’s exchange comes after three seafarers were killed and two others were seriously injured last Wednesday by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile attack on the MV True Confidence, marking the first fatalities since the Houthis escalated their attacks on merchant shipping in November. Just days prior, the Houthis claimed their first sinking of a commercial vessel with the MV Rubymar following a missile strike on February 18.

Over the weekend, the Houthis carried out one of their largest and most complex attacks to date with U.S. and coalition forces shooting down a total of 28 one-way attack drones sent towards Red Sea shipping lanes. No U.S. Navy or coalition vessels were damaged in the attack and there were also no reports of damage by commercial ships.

The Iranian-backed Houthis have vowed to escalate the attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts Tuesday. The group claims to target only ships affiliated with the U.S., UK, or Israel, in support of Palestinians in Gaza, however at times the group has acted on outdated or incorrect information.

Public databases do not show any current affiliations between the Pinocchio and the three countries the Houthis purportedly target. However, the vessel formerly went by the name ZIM San Francisco and photos online show it emblazoned with Israeli shipping company ZIM’s logo.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported a new attack on Monday with a vessel reporting a nearby explosion. The vessel and crew were reported safe in the incident, but it’s unclear if that report pertains the Pinocchio.

The U.S. to date has conducted several self-defense strikes against Houthi drones and missiles in the Red Sea and targets within Yemen, as well as four joint bombing campaigns with the UK since January 12th.

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