Houthis strike Greek-owned vessel with double missile attack

The Houthis specified the ship as the Star Iris. Despite the group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, claiming it to be American, maritime shipping trackers identified it as a vessel flagged under the Marshall Islands and owned by a Greek company, according to Reuters. 

The British maritime security firm Ambrey revealed that the ship, purportedly en route to Iran, faced two distinct missile attacks while navigating the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The vessel incurred damage to its starboard side, as confirmed by Ambrey.

Since mid-November, Houthi militants have been launching drones and missiles at commercial ships, citing retaliation against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Despite claiming to target Israeli or US-affiliated vessels, the attacks have affected international ships, disrupting global shipping operations. Numerous companies have rerouted their vessels away from the Red Sea, opting for longer and more expensive routes around Africa.

Ambrey indicated that the bulk carrier was heading to Bandar Imam Khomeini, Iran, as the group owner and operator regularly engages in bulk cargo trade with Iran. The firm suggested a potential motive for the attack, pointing out that the group owner of the bulker is listed on the US stock market index NASDAQ.

UKMTO WARNING

INCIDENT 029 Update 001 https://t.co/XsgrK5uW2N#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/DqP9vcptKg

— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) February 12, 2024

Going forward, we will not be passing the Suez Canal anymore because we are obviously a target of the Houthis being a public company registered in the U.S.

… said Petros Pappas, Chief Executive of Star Bulk Carriers