In a significant escalation of conflict, U.S. warships in the Red Sea were targeted in what officials are calling possibly the largest missile barrage since hostilities with the Houthi rebels in Yemen began nearly ten months ago. This attack coincides with the Houthis’ religious calendar and their promise of large-scale operations.
On Wednesday, Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthi movement, announced in a recorded message the launch of the fifth phase of their escalation in support of Gaza.
Pentagon has confirmed the attacks
Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed during a briefing that a complex attack had been launched by the Houthis, involving a mix of cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, she assured reporters that no U.S. ships were hit or damaged in the assault and that there were no injuries to U.S. personnel. “We did see a complex attack launch from the Houthis,” Singh explained, emphasizing that U.S. forces either engaged the attack and shot down incoming missiles or that some of the launches failed.
Here is what you need to know
The Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting three U.S. warships, identified as the guided missile destroyers USS Spruance and USS Stockdale, along with the littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis. At the time of the attack, these vessels were reported to be north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
This overnight strike marks a notable return to aggressive tactics for the Houthis, who had been relatively quiet in the previous weeks. Their last reported attack on a vessel occurred 24 days ago. U.S. Central Command noted a significant drop in missile launches and intercepts in the region, with only a few recorded since mid-September.
As tensions rise, the situation in the region remains fluid, with the potential for further escalations from the Houthi rebels.
US Warships in Red Sea Targeted by Houthi Missile Barrage Amid Rising Tensions world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World News Today
