It’s being reported now by US CENTCOM that the Houthis launched two ballistic missiles at a Belize-flagged ship called the MV Rubymar while transiting the Bab el Mandeb strait, with one missile hitting the ship and causing damage.
The crew was forced to abandon ship and were taken to a nearby port by a merchant vessel.
Here’s the full statement by US CENTCOM:
Between 9:30 and 10:45 p.m., Feb. 18, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward MV Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier. One of the missiles struck the vessel, causing damage. The ship issued a distress call and a coalition warship along with another merchant vessel responded to the call to assist the crew of the MV Rubymar. The crew was transported to a nearby port by the merchant vessel.
From what I could find, this actually occurred overnight for us. Apparently the Rubymar was headed for Bulgaria:
MARITIME SECURITY 🚨 ⚓️
Missile Attack – Bab el Mandeb.
Crew have abandoned vessel.
Belize-flagged MV RUBYMAR was struck likely with an Anti-Ship Ballisitc Missile while transiting northbound through the Bab el Mandeb en route to #Bulgaria after departing Khorfakkan in the… pic.twitter.com/3jDGFWc0F2
— Martin Kelly (@_MartinKelly_) February 19, 2024