Houthi Strike Highlights US Vessels a Target

The Houthi strike on a US owned vessel Monday highlights that attacks are ongoing despite US/UK air strikes and that vessels from these nations are likely now a target rather than just Israeli associated ships.

• A Houthi chief negotiator said to Reuters earlier "Our communication ... continues to clarify our position, and confirm that all commercial ships in the Red and Arabian Seas are safe, with the exception of Israeli ships or those heading to Israel, only and only," – something this event counters.
• Another Houthi spokesperson had said late last week that US/UK associated assets were now a legitimate targets after the air strikes.
• A missile was fired at the ship by Houthi militants from Yemen at approx. 4pm Sanaa time according to US Central Command. The vessel was hit but did not sustain significant damage.
• Tanker Trackers flagged that a US vessel had sharply u-turned in the area off Yemen shortly after the incident had been reported.