The Houthi movement in Yemen has attacked a merchant ship named ”Pinocchio”.

This was confirmed by the US Central Command (Centcom) on social media site X after a spokesperson for the Houthis reported the attack in a televised speech earlier in the night.

The attack on the Liberian-flagged container ship, owned by Singapore’s OM-Mar 5 Inc, and operated by SeaLead, occurred on Monday in the Red Sea, according to Centcom.

Two missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

The ”Pinocchio” ship was not damaged by the attack and no one was injured, according to Centcom.

In the televised address, spokesperson Yahya Sarea also said that the movement will step up its attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This is to show solidarity with Palestinians at a time when Israel is carrying out attacks in Gaza, he said.

It has not been disclosed whether he provided more details about the plans - including the extent to which the movement will step up attacks.

Six US attacks

Centcom also states in its post on X that the Central Command carried out six attacks against Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Monday.

The attacks are described by Centcom as ”self-defense”. With them, the forces destroyed an underwater drone and 18 missiles designed to attack ships.

The Houthi movement is allied with the Palestinian militant movement Hamas in Gaza. The Houthis have attacked ships in the Red Sea in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza.

The war was launched in response to Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7.

The risk of attacks has caused many shipping companies to avoid the Red Sea when their ships are traveling from Europe to Asia or the opposite direction.

Instead of sailing via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, freighters and tankers take the much longer route south of the African continent.

The threat of the Houthi movement has prompted several countries to send warships to the Red Sea as part of a US-led mission to protect shipping in the area. Denmark is participating in the mission.

Corrected at 7:08PM CET: The first version of the article incorrectly stated that ”the Liberian-flagged container ship, owned by Oaktree Capital Management and chartered by SeaLead....”. The owner is Singapore’s OM-Mar 5 Inc.

SeaLead operated the vessel..