Houthis strike ship with two cruise missiles, causing damage and seriously wounding sailor

US Central Command announced today on X (Thursday) that the Houthis struck the commercial vessel M/V Verbena with two cruise missiles in the Gulf of Aden, causing fires and damage and severely injuring one sailor.

CENTCOM stated that aircraft from the cruiser USS Philippine Sea evacuated the sailor for further medical treatment.

Having already issued an unusually strong statement against Houthi conduct earlier today, CENTCOM's current statement was even stronger, suggesting growing impatience with the Houthi attacks on international shipping:

"This continued reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.  The Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and yet they are targeting and threatening the lives of third country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza.  The ongoing threat to the ability to safely transit the region caused by the Houthis makes it harder to deliver critical assistance to the people of Yemen as well as to Gaza.  U.S. CENTCOM will continue to act with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities."