Houthis Attack on US Warships: Iranian-backed Houthi rebels launched a coordinated missile and drone attack on two US warships, the USS Stockdale and USS Spruance, in the Arabian Sea. All projectiles were intercepted, preventing damage or casualties.
Houthi’s Military Actions: The attack follows continuous Houthi aggression since November 2023, targeting vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including sinking two ships and capturing others.
Motivation for Attacks: The Houthis claim these assaults are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, though they have inaccurately claimed their targets are exclusively linked to Israel, the US, or the UK.
US Response and Operations: The US military has conducted multiple airstrikes targeting Houthi weapon sites in Yemen to reduce their attack capabilities. The US, UK, and allies also launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to secure Red Sea shipping routes.
Iran’s Influence: The Houthis are part of a broader network of Iran-backed groups in the region, including Hezbollah and Hamas, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Houthi rebels attacked US warships, the USS Stockdale and USS Spruance, in the Arabian Sea with missiles and drones. The coordinated strike, involving eight drones and multiple missiles, was intercepted, resulting in no damage or injuries. This follows ongoing Houthi assaults since November 2023 in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, tied to solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The US responded with airstrikes on Houthi weapons depots and spearheaded Operation Prosperity Guardian with allies to safeguard regional shipping routes. The Houthis, supported by Iran, are part of a network that includes Hezbollah and Hamas.
Houthis Attack U.S. Warships
The assault occurred as the Iranian-supported rebel faction was moving through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, which is a channel between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Al-Masirah TV, the primary news channel managed by Yemen’s Houthi movement, reported that multiple airstrikes had aimed at two US warships and another ship in the Arabian Sea.
The military spokesperson for the group, Yahya al-Sarea, stated in a message on X that the rebels had “effectively” struck the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier with several cruise missiles.
Ryder stated he was “unaware of any assaults” on the Abraham Lincoln ship.
“We will keep informing the Houthis that there will be repercussions for their unlawful and irresponsible assaults,” he stated.
The Houthis belong to a web of armed factions in the Middle East supported by Iran, which also encompasses Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
Since November 2023, they have continuously attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They have downed two ships, captured a third of the intended vessels, and killed crew members.
They claim they are taking action in favor of the Palestinians amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
They have often asserted, sometimes untruthfully, that their targets are exclusively vessels connected to Israel, the US, or the UK.
Earlier this year, the US, UK, and 12 additional countries initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian to safeguard Red Sea shipping routes from the Houthis.
In October, the US military announced it had conducted attacks on 15 Houthi locations in Yemen, with multiple explosions noted in the capital, Sanaa.
It has earlier stated its goal is to weaken the Houthis’ capacity to strike shipping.
The Pentagon reported that a coordinated missile strike by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting two US warships has been stopped.
No fewer than eight drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles targeted the USS Stockdale and the USS Spruance on Monday.
The vessels intercepted the projectiles and were “not harmed and no personnel were injured,” Pentagon press secretary Air Force Major Gen Pat Ryder informed reporters on Tuesday.
The assault occurred after a succession of airstrikes conducted by the US Central Command targeting Houthi weapons depots in Yemen.
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