A U.S. Navy destroyer fired in self-defense in the Red Sea after coming to aid a pair of commercial ships attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to reports.
The hourslong attack, according to the Associated Press which cited unnamed American officials, saw the USS Carney shoot down drones launched at both it and a commercial bulk carrier near the body of water linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, a major shipping route.
“We’re aware of reports regarding attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and will provide information as it becomes available,” Cmdr. Richard Chernitzer, spokesman for the Navy’s 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain, said in a statement to Task & Purpose. It is the same statement the Department of Defense sent to the Associated Press. No official confirmation has been given by the Pentagon.
There are no reports of injuries or damage to the USS Carney.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree confirmed that an attack was done against commercial ships, but did not mention any military vessels being targeted or damaged. Saree said in a statement that the attack damaged two commercial ships, according to the Associated Press. According to him, one was damaged by a missile, the other by a drone. He named the two ships as the British-owned Unity Explorer, flying under a Bahamian flag, and the container ship “Number 9,” which was flying under a Panamanian flag, according to AP. Saree repeated a Houthi statement that the group intends to block transit for Israeli ships through the Red Sea.
Last week missiles were fired from Houthi areas in Yemen in the direction of the USS Mason, another Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, after it responded to a distress call from a commercial ship. The missile attack came after the USS Mason and partner ships chased down and captured five pirates without injury; the missiles fell 10 nautical miles short of the destroyer.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer the USS Carney has been patrolling around the Red Sea for the last two months.
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The apparent attack comes only a few days after the USS Carney shot down a drone launched by Houthis from Yemen. The destroyer was escorting two American commercial ships on Wednesday, Nov. 29 when the drone was spotted and taken out, according to U.S. Central Command.
The destroyer has been involved in several incidents over the past two months. On Oct. 18, the USS Carney shot down multiple cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. They were, according to the Department of Defense, launched from Yemen in the direction of Israel.
The Houthis control much of Yemen and are engaged in a civil war with the internationally recognized government of the country. The group receives political and material support from Iran, but has been focused on internal Yemeni issues and maintaining its control of the nation. Following Houthi successes, Saudi Arabia and other nations launched an invasion of the country against the group, which has led to high civilian casualties.
The Red Sea is a major commercial shipping hub. Two weeks ago Houthi rebels captured a British-owned and Japanese-operated ship in the sea, claiming it was tied to Israel. The seizure featured Houthis landing on the vessel via helicopter.
This is a developing story.
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