YEMEN's Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched missiles at a Liberian-flagged containership in the Red Sea, but fortunately, the vessel was not hit, as confirmed by the US Central Command, reports Reuters.
According to CENTCOM, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired at the Pinocchio from Yemeni territory, resulting in no damage or injuries.
Houthi military representative Yahya Sarea claimed that the group had successfully targeted and hit the ship, which he described as "American."
However, subsequent reports indicated otherwise.
According to shipping databases operated by Equasis and the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Pinocchio is a Liberian-flagged containership owned by the Singapore-registered company OM-MAR 5 INC.
Mr Sarea stated that the Houthi group intends to escalate its military operations during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in solidarity with Palestinians in response to the conflict in Gaza.
These attacks in the Red Sea by the Houthi group have disrupted global shipping, prompting companies to reroute their vessels on longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa.
There are concerns that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas could further destabilise the broader Middle East if not addressed.
Both the US and Britain have conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and have designated the group as terrorists.
A US-British coalition conducted airstrikes in western Yemen, resulting in casualties, according to a spokesman for Yemen's internationally recognised government.
CENTCOM reported conducting six self-defense strikes in areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis.
These strikes aimed to neutralize threats posed by an unmanned underwater vessel and 18 anti-ship missiles, which CENTCOM deemed as imminent threats to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region.