DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck three commercial ships transporting weapons on Sunday in the Red Sea.
An escorting American warship shot down three drones in self-defense during the hours long assault, the U.S. military said. The Iranian-backed Houthi’s claimed two of the attacks.
The strikes marked an escalation in a series of maritime attacks in the Mideast linked to the Israel-Hamas war, as multiple vessels found themselves in the crosshairs of a single Yemen assault for the first time in the conflict.
The USA vowed to consider all appropriate responses in the wake of the attack, specifically calling out Iran, after tensions have been high for years now over Tehran’s so-called nuclear program.
The attack began around 9:15 a.m. local time (0615 GMT) in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital.
The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, detected a ballistic missile fired from areas of Yemen at the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer.
The missile hit near the ship. Shortly afterward, the Carney shot down a drone headed its way, although it’s not clear if the destroyer was the target.
About 30 minutes later, the Unity Explorer was hit by a missile. While responding to its distress call, the Carney shot down another incoming drone. Central Command said the Unity Explorer sustained minor damage from the missile.
Two other commercial ships, the Panamanian-flagged bulk carriers Number 9 and Sophie II, were both struck by missiles. The Number 9 reported some damage but no casualties, and the Sophie II reported no significant damage
While sailing to assist the Sophie II around 4:30 p.m. local time (1330 GMT), the Carney shot down another drone heading in its direction. The drones did no further damage.
The Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has shot down multiple rockets Yemen has fired toward Israel during that nation’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
It hasn’t been damaged in any of the incidents and no injuries have been reported on board. The Defense Department initially described the assault as simply an attack on the Carney before providing more details.
Yemen military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed two of Sunday’s attacks, saying the first vessel was hit by a missile and the second by a drone while in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The Yemeni armed forces continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea (and Gulf of Aden) until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip stops.
The Yemeni armed forces renew their warning to all Israeli ships or those associated with Israelis that they will become a legitimate target if they violate what is stated in this statement.
The first vessel was identified as the Unity Explorer, which is owned by a British firm that includes Dan David Ungar, who lives in Israel, as one of its officers. Israeli media identified Ungar as being the son of Israeli shipping billionaire Abraham Rami Ungar.
The Number 9 is linked to Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement. The Sophie II had been linked to Japan’s Kyowa Kisen Co. Ltd.
Iran has yet to directly address the attacks. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian threatened that if the current situation continues, the region will enter a new phase over the Israel-Hamas war.
All parties who are after igniting a war are warned, before it’s too late stop the killing of women and children, of which a new round of ethnic cleansing has started.
Yemen has launched a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, as well as launching drones and missiles targeting Israel.
Analysts suggest Yemen hopes to shore up waning popular support after years of civil war in Yemen between it and Saudi-backed forces.
In November, Yemen seized a vehicle transport ship also connected to Israel in the Red Sea off Yemen.
Yemen still hold the vessel near the port city of Hodeida. Missiles also landed near another U.S. warship last week after it assisted a vessel linked to Israel that had briefly been seized by gunmen.
Separately, a container ship owned by an Israeli billionaire recently came under attack by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean.
The Houthi’s had not directly targeted the Americans for some time, further raising the stakes in the growing maritime conflict.
In 2016, the U.S. launched Tomahawk cruise missiles that destroyed three coastal radar sites in Houthi-controlled territory to retaliate for missiles being fired at U.S. Navy ships at the time.
AP / ABC Flash Point News 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a news conference without his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, casting shadows of an apparent dispute between the two men.
I predicted this. I said once the IDF tik tok causalities start to increase the Zionist criminals will turn on themselves.
The latest estimate is over 3.000 dead scumbag Zionist tik tok soldiers. Over 12.000 injured.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the numbers are right. The IDF performs poorly due to poor discipline, poor training and cowardice. They shoot at anyone, civilian or armed resistance including their own.
Egos are at war in political terrorist JEWISH Israel.
Netanyahu, reeking of the stench of death of thousands of Palestinian children and babies , is worried that he might not receive the acclaimed for such slaughter that he thrives upon.