The Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned and Polish-operated M/V Verbena was delivering timber to Italy when it was attacked.
Two cruise missiles launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels hit a bulk cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, seriously injuring one of the crew.
The M/V Verbena, a Palau-flagged ship owned by Ukraine and operated by Poland, “reported damage and subsequent fires on board. The crew continues to fight the fire. “A civilian sailor was seriously injured during the attack,” the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Thursday.
“USS Philippine Sea aircraft medically evacuated the injured sailor to a nearby partner ship for medical care,” it added.
The Houthis, who are locked in a war with a Saudi-led coalition after overthrowing Yemen's internationally recognized government in Sana'a in 2014, have been attacking ships with suspected Israeli links in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November. 2023.
They say the action is in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's war in Gaza, in which at least 37,232 people have died.
On Thursday, the Iran-backed group said it had carried out attacks on three ships over 24 hours, including the Verbena, “in retaliation for the crimes committed against our people in the Gaza Strip and in response to US-British aggression.” . against our country.”
Earlier on Thursday, the British Army's UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center said a ship had been attacked and caught fire, while private security firm Ambrey said a merchant ship made a distress call. on the radio saying that he had been hit by a missile.
The Houthis later claimed responsibility for the attack on the Verbena, as well as attacks on two other ships in the Red Sea. Central Command said the Houthis had launched two ballistic missiles into the Red Sea that caused “no injuries or significant damage.”
The UKMTO said a ship that the Houthis missed earlier was hit by a “third projectile” causing “minor damage.” The ship was able to remain underway, she said.
The Verbena was loaded with lumber and was headed from Malaysia to Italy, according to CENTCOM. Military and security sources told the Reuters news agency that the Verbena still had power and steering capabilities.
Thursday's attack marked the Houthis' second direct attack on a merchant ship in two days.
A day earlier, they took credit for a series of small boat and missile attacks that left the Tutor, a Greek-owned coal cargo ship, sunk in the water near Hodeidah and in need of rescue.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs condemned the assault on the Tutor, whose crew included Filipinos.
The Houthi campaign in the Red Sea region has disrupted global shipping, causing delays and increasing international supply chain costs. The rebels sank one ship, captured another, and killed three sailors in separate attacks. Meanwhile, shipping companies have rerouted their ships around the southern tip of Africa, adding an additional 3,000 to 3,500 nautical miles (5,500-6,500 kilometers) to their route.
