The U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that on May 28, 2024, the Houthi rebels fired five missiles at the Greek bulk carrier Laax. The ship, owned by a Greek company and flagged by the Marshall Islands, was navigating the southern waters of the Red Sea at the time. The attack occurred in two stages, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The first strike took place in the morning off the port city of Hodeida, and the second off Mokha, near the Bab el-Mandeb strait. CENTCOM stated that the crew reported the vessel was struck by three missiles, which caused no injuries. However, the security firm Ambrey later clarified that in a radio communication, the Laax crew reported damage to the hold and water ingress.
Sources agree that the Laax is continuing its voyage independently to its next port of call. The vessel is owned by Grehel Ship Management, a Greek company based in Piraeus, which has not commented on the incident. On the same day, May 28, the U.S. Navy shot down five drones that posed an imminent threat to merchant ships in the region. The previous day, the same military forces downed another drone.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sarea announced on May 26 three attacks on other vessels: the container ship MSC Mechela and the U.S. tanker Largo Desert, both traveling in the Indian Ocean, and the Minerva Lisa, navigating the Red Sea. The Yemeni group also claimed to have launched two drones against U.S. warships.
