In a recent development, a US-owned container ship named Gibraltar Eagle has been struck by a ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels near the coast of Yemen, according to the United States military command for the Middle East (Centcom). Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or significant damage to the vessel.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Gibraltar Eagle, which was carrying steel products, was approximately 160km (100 miles) offshore in the Gulf of Aden when it was targeted by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Despite the attack, the ship is continuing its journey in the Gulf of Aden.

This incident comes amid a series of Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, which the group claims are connected to Israel or bound for Israeli ports. The Houthis see these attacks as a demonstration of support for the Palestinians and Hamas in Gaza, as Israel persists in its military campaign against them.

It is worth noting that the British maritime security firm, Ambrey, has assessed that the Gibraltar Eagle is not affiliated with Israel. However, a senior Houthi official recently stated that American vessels are also considered targets. "It is enough for ships to be American for us to target them," said Nasr al-Din Amer.

The Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea have prompted major shipping companies worldwide to alter their routes, causing significant disruptions to global commerce. In response to Monday's strike, the US Department of Transportation has issued a maritime alert advising US-flagged and US-owned commercial vessels to avoid specified areas in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Additionally, QatarEnergy, the world's second-largest oil company, has announced a temporary pause in shipping through the area as it seeks security advice following the attack.

Last week, the US and UK forces carried out airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in retaliation for previous attacks on shipping. The joint forces, along with their allies, conducted numerous air and sea strikes on Houthi missile launch sites and air defense systems within Yemen. According to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 13 Houthi launch sites were destroyed by these military actions.

US intelligence reports indicate that the strikes have destroyed approximately one-quarter of the Houthi rebels' arsenal. However, the chief negotiator for the Houthis, Mohammed Abdulsalam, has stated that despite the airstrikes, attacks on Israeli ships or those heading to Israeli ports will continue.

The US has attributed the Houthi missile capability to Iran, a claim that Tehran denies. In response to the conflict, Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, has called for an immediate end to the war in Yemen during a press conference.

Furthermore, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized that the UK will not hesitate to protect its security in light of the Houthi attacks on shipping. The Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, supports the targeted action in the Red Sea, while Rishi Sunak plans to address MPs about the US-UK strikes in Yemen later today.

As tensions continue to rise in the region, it remains to be seen how this ongoing conflict will unfold and how international powers will respond to safeguard maritime security in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.