On Sunday, an American destroyer, the USS Carney, played a crucial role in defending commercial ships from drone attacks in the Red Sea. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that multiple drones targeted these ships during the incident.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, who have been responsible for recent missile and drone attacks, claimed responsibility for targeting two of the commercial vessels. These attacks signify a dangerous escalation in the threat to shipping in the region, Al Arabia reported.
CENTCOM issued a statement confirming that there were four separate attacks on three commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea. The USS Carney responded to the distress calls from these ships and managed to intercept three approaching drones.
“Today, there were four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea,” CENTCOM said in a statement as reported by AP.
During the incident, the USS Carney detected a missile fired from a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen that landed near the Bahamas-flagged M/V Unity Explorer, causing minor damage. Additionally, the Panamanian-flagged M/V Number 9, a bulk carrier, sustained damage from a Yemeni missile strike, but thankfully, there were no casualties. The M/V Sophie II, also flying Panama’s flag, was hit but escaped significant harm.
CENTCOM emphasized that these attacks directly threaten international commerce and maritime security. They also expressed strong suspicions that Iran played a significant role in enabling these Houthi-launched attacks and vowed to coordinate with international allies and partners to determine appropriate responses.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks on the Unity Explorer and Number 9, stating on social media that these ships were Israeli, and they vowed to continue these attacks until Israeli aggression in Gaza ceases.
The post US destroyer thwarts Yemeni drone attack on Red Sea ships, says CENTCOM appeared first on Khaama Press.
