Two US warships intercepted drone and missile attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels while escorting three commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden, the US military confirmed on Tuesday. The operation was claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi movement.
Approximately one month after the outbreak of war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ incursion into southern Israel in October 2023, the Houthis began targeting commercial ships associated with Israel, the US, and the UK in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The group stated these actions were acts of solidarity with Palestinians.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for Middle East operations, two US destroyers thwarted waves of “one-way unmanned aerial vehicle attacks” and an “anti-ship cruise missile,” ensuring the safety of both military and commercial ships and their crews.
The attacks occurred on Monday and Tuesday, CENTCOM stated, adding that all three commercial vessels involved were US-owned, operated by US shipping companies, and sailing under the US flag.
“These irresponsible attacks caused no injuries or damage to any vessels,” CENTCOM reported, noting that another Houthi attack had been repelled two weeks earlier over the weekend of 30 November to 1 December.
Earlier on Tuesday, Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on five ships in the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, are part of what Iran calls the “axis of resistance,” which includes the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah, united in opposition to Israel and its key ally, the US.
The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have posed a serious threat to navigation in these vital maritime trade routes.
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Photo source: Khaled Abdullah/Reuters
Source: ANA-MPA/CNN-News18/Reuters
