Houthi Fighters Launch Missile and Drone Attacks
In a dramatic escalation off the coast of Yemen, Houthi fighters launched missile and drone attacks on two US Navy warships in a series of sustained assaults. The Pentagon confirmed that the US military successfully repelled the attack, preventing any damage to the ships or injuries to personnel.Houthis Target US Warships with Missile and Drone Attacks off Yemen’s Coast
Pentagon Confirms Attack on US Warships
According to Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder, the attacks occurred during the transit of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital waterway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The targeted ships were the USS Stockdale and USS Spruance, both guided missile destroyers. The attackers used at least eight one-way attack drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles in a prolonged assault.
Fortunately, all of the drones and missiles were successfully intercepted and destroyed, and no US personnel were harmed, Ryder confirmed. Despite the Houthi group’s claims, there were no reported attacks on the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln during the incident.
Houthi Claims Responsibility for Attack
The Houthis, an Iran-backed militia controlling large parts of Yemen, took responsibility for the assault, describing it as two separate “military operations.” According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, the first operation targeted the American aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea with cruise missiles and drones. The second operation, according to Sarea, aimed at the two US destroyers in the Red Sea using a combination of ballistic missiles and drones. The Houthis declared that both operations had “successfully achieved their objectives.”
Background on Houthi Attacks in the Region
This latest attack is part of a broader pattern of Houthi actions in the region. Since November 2023, the group has targeted Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, presenting the campaign as a form of solidarity with Palestinians. However, the Houthis have also launched attacks on commercial ships with no apparent connection to Israel or the ongoing conflict in Gaza. These strikes have significantly disrupted global maritime trade routes, especially in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
The Houthis have already targeted over 90 vessels with missiles and drones, resulting in four deaths and the sinking of two ships. One of the most high-profile incidents involved the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader, a British-owned, Japanese-operated vessel, in November 2023. The ship’s crew remains detained in Yemen.
US and UK Responses to Houthi Actions
In response to the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping, the US and UK have launched multiple strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. On Sunday, US and UK forces carried out airstrikes targeting Houthi advanced weapons storage facilities in the capital Sanaa and the northern Amran governorate. These strikes are part of an ongoing effort to curtail the Houthis’ military capabilities and prevent further disruptions in the region.
The Houthis have made it clear that they will stop their attacks on maritime targets only if Israel ends its military campaign in Gaza, further complicating the situation. As the conflict continues to unfold, the tension between the Houthis, the US, and their allies is likely to escalate, with further military engagements expected.
Conclusion
The recent missile and drone attacks by the Houthis on US warships underscore the rising tension in the region. The successful defense by the US Navy highlights its readiness to counter such threats, but the broader implications for regional stability remain uncertain. The ongoing conflict in Yemen and the growing involvement of external powers like the US and the UK show that this crisis is far from over.
Reference by Alzajeera
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