NEW YORK, December 31. /TASS/. A container ship run by the Danish shipping company Maersk has been struck by a missile in the southern part of the Red Sea, the US Central Command said.
"Today at approximately 8:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), the container ship Maersk Hangzhou reported that they were struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea," the Central Command said on X, formerly Twitter.
The Singapore-flagged ship requested assistance, and the USS Gravely and USS Laboon have responded to the vessel, according to the post. While responding, the USS Gravely shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships.
"The vessel is reportedly seaworthy and there are no reported injuries," the post said.
This is the 23rd attack by the Houthis on international shipping since November 19, the US Central Command said.
Following the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Yemen-based Houthis said they would strike Israeli territory and prevent ships affiliated with the country from passing through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait until the operation in the Palestinian enclave ended. In response, the US announced a plan to conduct Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea to ensure freedom of navigation and protect merchant ships. Other countries that are set to take part in the operation include Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles, Spain and the UK.