DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – According to the US military, during the hours-long attack on Sunday, ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen hit three commercial ships in the Red Sea, and a US warship shot down three drones in self-defense. The Houthi rebels, whom Iran backs, claimed responsibility for the attack.
The strikes marked an increase in a series of maritime attacks in the Middle East linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict, as a single Houthi assault for the first time in the conflict targeted numerous vessels.
The strikes, according to US Central Command, “represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security.” They have threatened the lives of foreign personnel from various countries all over the world.” According to the report, the three commercial ships and their staff are linked to 14 countries.
The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, detected a ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen targeting the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer, according to Central Command. The missile landed close to the ship. Shortly later, the Carney shot down a drone that was heading its way, though it’s unclear whether the destroyer was the target. Yemen was also used to launch the drone.
Commercial Ships Hit By Missiles In Houthi Attack In Red Sea, US Warship Downs 3 Drones
The Unity Explorer was struck by a missile about 30 minutes later, and the Carney fired down another approaching drone while responding to the distress call. Central Command said the missile caused little damage to the Unity Explorer.
Missiles also struck two more commercial ships, the Panamanian-flagged bulk carriers Number 9 and Sophie II. The Number 9 sustained some damage, but no casualties and the Sophie II sustained no substantial damage.
While on its way to save the Sophie II, the Carney shot down another drone moving in its direction. The drones caused no harm.
The United States will consider “all appropriate responses,” according to Central Command, adding that “we have every reason to believe that Iran is fully enabling these attacks, even though the Houthi in Yemen are carrying them out.”
Commercial Ships Hit By Missiles In Houthi Attack In Red Sea, US Warship Downs 3 Drones
The Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has previously shot down multiple rockets fired by the Houthis toward Israel. It was not damaged in any accidents, and no injuries were on board.
According to Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the first vessel, was damaged by a missile and the second by a drone while in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Saree made no mention of any American warships being involved in the strike.
“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,” Saree said in a statement.
Commercial Ships Hit By Missiles In Houthi Attack In Red Sea, US Warship Downs 3 Drones
“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 ship, according to Saree, is the Unity Explorer, which is under the control of a British company that has an officer named Dan David Ungar who resides in Israel. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement is associated with the number 9. Managers for the two ships could not be reached for comment immediately.
Ungar was identified as the son of Israeli shipping billionaire Abraham “Rami” Ungar by Israeli media.
source – AP
