On Sunday, ballistic missiles launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen targeted three commercial ships in the Red Sea. The U.S. military reported that a U.S. warship engaged in self-defense, shooting down three drones during the prolonged assault. The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for two of the attacks.
This incident represents an escalation in the ongoing series of maritime attacks in the Middle East, linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Notably, it marked the first time multiple vessels were targeted in a single Houthi assault. In response, the U.S. military expressed its commitment to exploring “all appropriate responses” and explicitly pointed to Iran. Tensions have been heightened for years, primarily due to concerns about Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. ballistic missiles launched
The U.S. Central Command issued a statement emphasizing that these attacks pose a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security, putting the lives of crews from various countries at risk. Furthermore, the statement asserted that there is strong belief that while the attacks were carried out by the Houthi rebels, they were fully supported and enabled by Iran. The assault commenced around 9:15 a.m. local time in Houthi-controlled Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, according to Central Command.
The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, detected a ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer. The missile hit near the ship, the U.S. said. Shortly afterward, the Carney shot down a drone headed its way, although it’s not clear if the destroyer was the target, Central Command said.