In a series of aggressive maritime incidents across February 19 and the early hours of February 20, 2024, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden witnessed heightened tensions involving missile and drone attacks against commercial shipping and subsequent retaliatory actions by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces.
Incidents on February 19:
- Between 12:30 and 1:50 p.m., two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) were fired from Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen targeting the M/V Sea Champion, a Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned grain carrier navigating the Gulf of Aden. The vessel sustained minor damage but reported no injuries among the crew. It proceeded on its course to deliver grain to Aden, Yemen.
- U.S. CENTCOM forces responded by locating and neutralizing a surface-to-air missile (SAM) launcher in Houthi-controlled areas around 5 p.m.
- Another ASBM was launched at 6:40 p.m., failing to hit any commercial or coalition ships.
- At 7:20 p.m., the M/V Navis Fortuna, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.S.-owned bulk carrier, was struck by a one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), causing minor damage without any casualties. The ship continued its journey toward Italy.
- By 8:15 p.m., CENTCOM forces had destroyed an OWA UAV in western Yemen, which was prepared for a maritime assault in the Red Sea.
- The period from 8 p.m. on February 19 to 12:30 a.m. on February 20 saw U.S. and coalition aircraft and warships down 10 OWA UAVs in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Feb. 19 and early morning Feb. 20 Red Sea Update
On Feb 19, between 12:30 and 1:50 p.m., two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) were launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward M/V Sea Champion, a Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned grain carrier in the Gulf of Aden. Minor… pic.twitter.com/1VeqVE8bFA
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 20, 2024
Further Developments on February 20:
- Early on February 20, at approximately 12:30 a.m., the USS Laboon (DDG 58) identified and neutralized one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) directed towards it.
CENTCOM identified the OWA UAVs, the SAM system, and the ASCM as imminent threats to both U.S. Navy and merchant vessels operating in the region. The successful defensive actions were aimed at safeguarding navigational rights and freedoms, ensuring the safety and security of international waters for both military and commercial ships.
A Significant Fire is reported to be Burning aboard the Belize-Flagged Commercial Shipping Vessel, M/V Rubymar after it was Struck earlier by a Houthi Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile while transiting North through the Bab al-Mandab Strait from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea; the… pic.twitter.com/5JUPIRWzaA
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 19, 2024
