In a significant escalation in the Red and Arabian seas, U.S. warships successfully intercepted missiles and drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement, the Pentagon reported on Tuesday. The vessels were transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, when they came under attack.
Earlier that day, the Houthis claimed responsibility for two military operations against U.S. naval vessels, stating that the engagements spanned eight hours. Yahya Sarea, the Houthi military spokesperson, announced that the first operation targeted a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea using a combination of missiles and drones. The second operation, he said, involved missile and drone assaults on two U.S. destroyers in the Red Sea.
Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder detailed that on Monday, two U.S. warships faced an onslaught of at least eight drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles. Thanks to the ships’ defensive capabilities, all projectiles were successfully neutralized with no damage incurred.
“These attacks represent a serious escalation in the region,” Ryder stated, emphasizing the readiness of U.S. forces to defend themselves and maintain freedom of navigation in these critical waters. He noted that he was not aware of any attacks against the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, countering the Houthi claims.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait is one of the world’s most crucial maritime passages, with millions of barrels of oil and vast amounts of commercial goods transiting daily. Any disruption in this corridor can have significant implications for global trade and energy markets.
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Pentagon: U.S. warships repelled attack from Yemen's Houthis
cgtn.com
