On Wednesday, Iranian-backed Houthi militants launched a coordinated attack on a commercial ship, the M/V Verbena, in the Gulf of Aden. The assault involved two anti-ship cruise missiles and a sea drone, setting the ship ablaze and severely injuring one civilian mariner. The incident occurred approximately 66 nautical miles southwest of the rebel-held port of Hodeida in Yemen.
The M/V Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, and Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier, was en route from Malaysia to Italy, carrying wood. Following the attack, the ship reported significant damage and subsequent fires. The injured mariner was evacuated by a U.S. helicopter based on the USS Philippine Sea for medical treatment.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that their unmanned surface vessel (USV), along with drones and ballistic missiles, caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room. U.S. Central Command confirmed the use of the USV and reported that it had successfully destroyed three Houthi anti-ship cruise missile launchers and one drone in the past 24 hours. This marks the first successful use of a boat-borne bomb by the Houthis, signifying an escalation in their tactics.
Houthis Strike M/V Verbena in Gulf of Aden, USS Philippine Sea Medically Evacuates Injured Mariner
Today the Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden. Both missiles struck M/V Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned,… pic.twitter.com/wEs1X9X3MZ
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 13, 2024
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