A MISSILE has reportedly been fired at a ship in the Red Sea – just ours after the UK and US rained hell on Houthi targets in Yemen.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the incident happened around 90 nautical miles south east of Aden.
EPAA missile has reportedly been fired at a ship in the Red Sea[/caption]
Sky NewsIt comes just hours after the US and UK launched a wave of overnight airstrikes against the Houthi rebel group[/caption]
crownMore than 100 precision-guided munitions, launched by fighter jets and warships, rained down on targets in 16 locations across the country[/caption]
A missile is said to have landed in water around 400-500 metres away from the ship and was followed by three small craft, according to UKMTO.
No injuries or damage are reported.
It comes just hours after the US and UK launched a wave of overnight airstrikes against the Houthi rebel group.
More than 100 precision-guided munitions, launched by fighter jets and warships, rained down on targets in 16 locations across the country.
The strikes saw 60 military targets including an airbase, airport and army camp being blitzed and five militants killed.
Strikes were carried out with the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed.
Denmark, Germany, New Zealand and South Korea also assisted.
The strikes were launched following months of attacks on ships in the Red Sea, carried out by the Iranian-backed militia.
The Houthis responded by threatening to target ships in the vital passageway to the Suez Canal, and threatened to hit US bases in the region.
It comes as…
Houthi rebels vow to get ‘unimaginable’ revenge on US and UK following Thursday’s strikes
Dramatic footage shows the moment bombs rained down on targets
Incredible firepower aimed at Houthi targets included Tomahawk missiles, Reaper drones and 1,200mph jets
An ex-British army chief said the strikes were ‘necessary’ to remove threats to global trade
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak dubbed the strikes a ‘proportionate action in self-defence’
President Joe Biden warned ‘he will not hesitate’ to launch further strikes to protect the free flow of commerce
Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands backed the US-UK airstrikes
The Houthi rebel group said five militants were killed and six injured
Both Iran and Hezbollah have condemned the attacks as a ‘clear violation of Yemen’s sovereignty’
It comes as harrowing images emerged today of gun-toting kids in the crowd as thousands took to the streets in Yemen to protest the joint UK and US airstrikes.
The Houthi rebels are terrorising vessels in the Red Sea and now their bases are being struck by the US and UK – but who are they?
Supporters of the Iran-backed rebel group flocked to the streets of Sanaa chanting “America is the Devil” after the overnight blitzes.
Rishi Sunak said the overnight bombardments were a “limited and proportionate” reaction to attacks on international shipping.
Who are the Houthis?
The Houthi rebels are terrorising vessels in the Red Sea and now their bases are being struck by the US and UK – but who are they?
The Shia militant group, which now controls most of Yemen, spent over a decade being largely ignored by the world.
However, since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war they sprung from relative obscurity to holding roughly £1trillion of world trade hostage – turning one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes into an active warzone.
Why are they attacking ships?
The rebel group has been launching relentless drone and missile attacks on any ships they deem to be connected with Israel in solidarity with their ally Hamas.
The sea assaults have threatened to ignite a full-blown war in the Middle East as ripples from Israel’s war in Gaza are felt across the region – with Iran suspected of stoking the chaos.
However, there have been frequent attacks on commercial vessels with little or no link to Israel – forcing global sea traffic to halt operations in the region and sending shipping prices soaring.
Houthi attacks in the Red Sea increased 50 per cent between November and December.
Their slogan is “Death to America, Death to Israel, curse the Jews and victory to Islam”.
And the rebel group’s leaders have previously pledged the attacks will continue until Israel stops its devastating offensive inside Gaza.
On Thursday night, explosions rang out in Yemen and President Biden and PM Rishi Sunak struck over 60 Houthi targets.
