US warship shoots down drones launched from Houthi-held Yemen in the Red Sea

According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), an American warship fired down three drones on Sunday (Dec 3) while aiding commercial ships in the Red Sea that were targeted by Yemeni assaults. The Pentagon has stated that it is aware of reports of assaults on an American warship and commercial vessels in the region.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, claimed drone and missile assaults on two Israeli ships in the the area.

In recent weeks, an Iran-backed militia in Yemen has launched a succession of drones and missiles toward Israel, notably since the start of the war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, and has even taken an Israel-linked cargo vessel.

Drones shot down by a US warship

The Carney, an American destroyer, reacted to distress calls and offered assistance following missile and drone launches from Houthi-controlled territory, according to the US Navy.

“Today, there were four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea,” the CENTCOM said.

According to the statement, “The Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS Carney responded to the distress calls from the ships and provided assistance” and fired down three drones that were coming toward the warship.

Carney identified a missile from Yemen’s Houthi-controlled region that fell near the Bahamas-flagged M/V Unity Explorer. According to AFP, the cargo ship subsequently reported minor damage from another missile fired from a rebel-held region.

M/V Number 9, a Panamanian-flagged bulk ship, also reported some damage but no injuries following a missile strike from Yemen. The M/V Sophie II, which also carries the Panamanian flag, stated it was hit but suffered no substantial damage.

According to the US Navy, these strikes pose a “direct threat to international commerce and maritime security.”

The Houthis claim responsibility for the Red Sea assaults, but the US accuses Iran.

The Houthis claimed credit for the assaults on Unity Explorer and Number 9 – both purportedly tied to UK-based corporations – earlier on Sunday, alleging they used an armed drone and a naval missile to target two Israeli ships.

A representative for the Iran-backed organization also stated that the ships were attacked after they ignored warnings, but provided no other information about the event.

The group stated in a social media post that the attacks against the country’s warships will continue “until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip ceases.”

Meanwhile, the US has blamed Iran for aiding the Houthis’ attacks in Yemen, threatening to take necessary action in concert with its partners.

“We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Huthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran.” According to the Pentagon, “the United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.”

The US military caught five assailants who hijacked an Israel-linked cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday (Nov 26).

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