A civilian sailor is still missing in the Red Sea, two days after a cargo ship was hit by Houthi militants, as reported by US Central Command on Friday.
The attack happened on Wednesday when a drone struck the M/V Tutor, a ship flying the Liberian flag and operated by a Greek company. This caused serious flooding and damage to the engine room, forcing the crew to leave the ship. They were rescued by US and allied forces, including the USS Philippine Sea.
The cargo ship remains in the Red Sea and is taking on water, according to CENTCOM. It is drifting away from its last known location, as reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations.
On Thursday, Iran-backed Houthi fighters fired missiles at a cargo ship named M/V Verbena in the Gulf of Aden. One civilian sailor was seriously hurt and fires broke out on the ship, as reported by CENTCOM.
The injured sailor from M/V Verbena was airlifted for medical treatment by a US warship nearby.
The crew of the cargo ship, which flies the flag of Palau and is owned by Ukrainians but operated by Poles, managed to extinguish the fires and are continuing their journey, according to US officials.
CENTCOM said in a statement that the actions of the Iranian-backed Houthis, who continue to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, pose a serious threat to regional stability and put the lives of sailors at risk. Despite claiming to act in support of Palestinians in Gaza, the Houthis are targeting and endangering nationals from other countries who are not involved in the Gaza conflict.
These attacks make it difficult to deliver essential aid to Yemen and Gaza, disrupting international trade. Since October, the Houthis have launched numerous missiles and drones at ships, resulting in casualties such as the deaths of three crew members on the M/V True Confidence in March.
The US and UK have conducted multiple strikes against the Houthis in Yemen to weaken their military capabilities, but the attacks continue unabated. CENTCOM affirmed that the United States will work closely with allies to hold the Houthis accountable and reduce their ability to carry out further attacks.