In a concerning development, Houthi rebels in Yemen launched an anti-ship ballistic missile on Monday, targeting a U.S.-owned and -operated container ship in the Red Sea. The missile struck the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, a commercial carrier flagged to the Marshall Islands, at approximately 4 p.m. local time. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or significant damage.

According to U.S. Central Command, the missile was fired from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. This incident comes shortly after the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies initiated airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in response to increased attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Last Thursday, the Pentagon announced that 60 Houthi targets across 28 different locations were struck, followed by additional strikes over the weekend.

The attacks on commercial vessels in the region have disrupted international shipping through the Red Sea. In response, President Biden stated that the targeted strikes were a clear message that the U.S. and its partners would not tolerate attacks on their personnel or threats to freedom of navigation in this critical commercial route. He emphasized the commitment to take further measures if necessary to protect people and maintain the flow of international commerce.

The U.S. military also revealed that earlier in the afternoon, the Houthis had fired another missile towards Red Sea shipping lanes. However, this missile failed mid-flight and landed on the ground in Yemen, causing no injuries or damage.

The Houthi rebels claim their attacks on commercial ships are in response to Israel's military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. The rebel group has used fighters, drones, and missiles to carry out these assaults. Their actions have forced over 2,000 ships to change course in order to avoid attack, although U.S. warships have successfully intercepted many of the missiles and drones.

The escalating attacks by the Houthis, coupled with their support from Iran, have raised concerns about a potential widening of the conflict in the Middle East. Iran, which has aided the rebel group with weapons, intelligence, and other assistance, strongly criticized the recent airstrikes by Western powers and affirmed that the Houthis would continue targeting ships in the Red Sea.

The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by international maritime security in the region and the ongoing tensions between various actors. Efforts to deescalate the situation and ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea remain a priority for the global community.