April 8 Red Sea Update 

U.S. Central Command, April 8, 2024 

 
12:15 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. (Sanaa time) on April 8, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed an air defense system with two missiles ready to launch, a ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and one unmanned aerial system launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. 

Separately, at approximately 8:00 a.m. (Sanaa time) on April 7, an anti-ship ballistic missile was launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden where a coalition ship was escorting M/V Hope Island, a Marshall Islands flagged, U.K. owned, Italian operated cargo ship. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. 

This was the fifth observed missile launch against this coalition ship and M/V Hope Island. 

USCENTCOM is dedicated to protecting the freedom of navigation and making international waters safer and more secure for coalition and merchant vessels.