By Al-Fassel | 2024-02-15

Though the Iran-backed Houthis have attacked vessels in the Red Sea and regional waters in recent weeks without discrimination, their latest assault -- on a cargo vessel headed to Iran -- is perhaps the most ironic, observers said.

Between 3.30 and 3.45pm Monday (February 12), the Houthis fired two missiles from areas of Yemen they control toward Bab al-Mandeb strait, the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

"Both missiles were launched toward M/V Star Iris, a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel transiting the Red Sea carrying corn from Brazil," it said in a post on the social media platform X.

"The ship reports being seaworthy with minor damage and no injuries to the crew," it added.

"Of note, the MV Star Iris's destination is Bandar Iman Khomeini, Iran."

Maritime security firm Ambrey said the ship "was targeted by missiles in two separate incidents" within 20 minutes, AFP reported.

It "was reportedly hit and sustained physical damage on the starboard side," Ambrey said, adding that a private armed security team was on board.

The group owner and operator of the bulk carrier targeted on Monday regularly trades cargo with Iran, "so this was assessed to be the likely destination," Ambrey said.

"The group owner of the bulker was also listed on the US stock market index NASDAQ, which was identified as the likely reason for the attack," it said.

In a Monday speech, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree boasted of the attack and pledged that the group "will not hesitate to carry out more operations."

He claimed the group's naval forces had targeted the "American ship" Star Iris in the Red Sea with "a number of suitable naval missiles, and the strikes were accurate and direct."

His description was not entirely inaccurate: Brazil is a large country in South America. And the Houthis' strikes did indeed hit the ship, as promised, as it transported corn to Iran.

Indiscriminate attacks

The Houthis, part of the so-called "axis of resistance" of Iran-backed groups, have been indiscriminately targeting Red Sea shipping vessels since November, triggering US and British reprisals.

They have so far attacked ships with links to more than 50 nations -- though this appears to be the first vessel they have attacked en route to their backer, Iran.

And though they recently promised 'safe passage' to Russian and Chinese ships, even vessels associated with these countries have been targeted.

On January 26, the Houthis struck the Marshall Islands-flagged Bermuda-owned tanker M/V Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden with an anti-ship ballistic missile fired from Yemen, causing a major fire in one of the cargo holds.

Marlin Luanda was transporting for commercial use a cargo of naphtha, a highly flammable liquid hydrogen mixture, which originated in Russia.

The vessel issued a distress call, and USS Carney, the French navy frigate FS Alsace and Indian navy frigate INS Visakhapatnam all responded quickly, providing critical firefighting material and assistance to the civilian crew.

The fire was extinguished, and Marlin Luanda returned to its course.

Self-defense strikes

The Houthis' attacks have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, a vital route that normally carries about 12% of global maritime trade.

On Tuesday, at approximately 2.35pm, US forces conducted a self-defense strike against one mobile anti-ship cruise missile, in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, CENTCOM said. The missile was prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

Separately, at approximately 9.20pm, one anti-ship ballistic missile was launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden.

"US Navy ships tracked the missile but took no action because the missile was not projected to impact near any ships," CENTCOM said, noting that there were no reports of injuries or damage from ships in the area.

Between 4 and 5pm Saturday, US forces conducted other self-defense strikes against two unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles north of Yemen's al-Hodeidah, CENTCOM said.

The missiles and drone boats "presented an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region," it said.

One day earlier, US strikes targeted two mobile drone boats, four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and one mobile land attack cruise missile, it said.

And on February 8, US forces conducted seven self-defense strikes against four Houthi USVs and seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles.