Houthis Escalate Maritime Conflict with Alleged Attacks on USS Eisenhower and Other Vessels
Story by Isaac Jones • 6h
The waters of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden have turned into a tense arena as the Houthi rebels of Yemen intensify their maritime assaults. The Houthi movement has claimed a series of attacks, including two on the carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and an American destroyer.
Spokesman Yahya Saree claimed that the Houthis targeted the Eisenhower with “a number of” drones, and that they achieved a “direct hit.” He also claimed a “direct hit” on an unnamed American destroyer. Saree’s statement, echoed by Iranian state media. The Houthis have boldly extended their targets to include commercial shipping, purporting to retaliate for Israeli military operations in Gaza. However, Israel’s Western allies deny that there is a connection.
U.S. Central Command did not address the Houthi claims, but said in a statement Sunday that it shot down multiple Houthi munitions. According to Centcom, it destroyed one Houthi drone and saw two others go down in the Red Sea, with no damage reported. U.S. forces also engaged and destroyed two anti-ship ballistic missiles that Houthi units launched at the destroyer USS Gravely. No damage or injuries were reported on any vessel, military or civilian, Centcom said.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has confirmed receiving a report of one incident in proximity to the reported attacks, citing a single explosion witnessed by a ship’s master, a considerable distance from the vessel, the vessel and all crew were safe, and they carried on to their next port of call.
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