The United States military successfully defended against an attack by the Houthis, a Yemen-based armed group, while escorting three commercial vessels through the Gulf of Aden, according to an official statement.
As per the reports of Leaders sources, on Tuesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in the Middle East, reported that two Navy destroyers intercepted a series of cruise missiles and drones launched from Yemen. “The destroyers were escorting three US-owned, operated, and flagged merchant vessels. The reckless attacks caused no injuries or damage to any vessels, civilians, or US naval forces,” the statement read.
The Houthis have repeatedly targeted military and commercial ships in the region, reportedly aiming to pressure the United States to halt its support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. In contrast, the US views these attacks as a direct threat to international trade and freedom of navigation.
“These actions demonstrate CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment to protecting US personnel, regional partners, and international shipping from Iran-backed Houthi aggression,” the statement added. The three commercial vessels were en route to Djibouti when they came under attack from drones and a cruise missile.
According to the Leaders sources, the USS Stockdale and USS O’Kane, two US Navy destroyers, quickly responded, with support from a US Navy helicopter and French Air Force aircraft, as reported by the Associated Press (AP). Together, they successfully intercepted four drones and one missile.
Despite sustained US efforts to curb these attacks, including military strikes in Yemen, the Houthis continue to target ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Earlier this year, US military reports revealed that the Houthis launched 27 attacks between November 2023 and January 2024 alone.
Most recently, the group claimed responsibility for a drone strike in central Israel on Monday, signaling their persistent and widespread campaign of aggression in the region.
