On Friday, U.S. Navy warships were the targets of a “complex attack” in the Red Sea, reportedly orchestrated by the Iran-backed Houthi group, according to the Department of Defense.
Sabrina Singh, deputy press secretary for the Defense Department, stated, “We did see a complex attack launched from the Houthis that included cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.” Thankfully, she noted, these missiles were either intercepted or failed to hit their mark, resulting in no injuries to U.S. personnel.
Reports from Stars and Stripes confirmed that U.S. Central Command and the Navy Office of Information verified the successful interception of the missile threats. The Houthi spokesperson disclosed that the attack targeted ships navigating the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, where the USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group are positioned.
The strike group consists of three destroyers: USS Spruance, USS Stockdale, and USS O’Kane.
When asked if these destroyers were the primary targets, Singh explained, “It’s difficult to determine if they’re aiming at a U.S. ship or another vessel. We always take precautions for self-defense.” She emphasized that no U.S. vessels sustained damage or incurred any injuries.
Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict last year, the Houthis have launched multiple strikes against U.S. warships and commercial vessels in the region. U.S. naval forces routinely intercept such threats and have engaged in retaliatory strikes against Houthi forces in Yemen. For instance, in December, the USS Carney intercepted 14 Houthi drones targeting the guided-missile destroyer.
The Houthis have warned of further attacks unless Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu halts military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Recently, they targeted central Israel with a missile, causing panicked moments at Ben-Gurion International Airport, as travelers rushed for shelter amid air-raid sirens sounding in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas.