Three U.S. warships were attacked off the coast of Yemen on Friday by Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran and have been targeting commercial shipping in the area. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The warships intercepted nearly two dozen missiles and drones while navigating the narrow Bab al-Mandab Strait. According to a U.S. official, none of the ships sustained damage. The USS Stockdale, USS Spruance, and USS Indianapolis were targeted during the incident.
Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed the Houthis launched a complex attack involving cruise missiles and drones, but noted that U.S. forces engaged and neutralized many of the threats.
These ships are part of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, which recently relocated to the Middle East from the Pacific. Over the past year, U.S. forces have retaliated against Houthi militants, who have frequently attacked both commercial and military vessels amid the conflict in Gaza.
Since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, the volume of commercial shipping through the Red Sea has plummeted by 90%. U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have also faced numerous attacks, including one in January that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers in Jordan.
Recently, the Houthis targeted a Greek-flagged oil tanker, which carried a significant amount of oil. Thankfully, there was no major spill, and the fires on the vessel were managed before it was towed to port.
In response to Friday’s incident, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker characterized the Houthi actions as “an act of war” and criticized the Biden administration for its response in the Red Sea, calling for decisive action against the rebels.
Vice President Kamala Harris, in a debate with former President Trump, claimed there were no active-duty U.S. military members in combat zones, despite recent operations against ISIS that had resulted in injuries to American soldiers.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower strike group returned to Virginia in July after conducting extensive strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, using interceptor missiles to counter incoming threats.
Retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral James Syring noted the effectiveness of missile defense systems, emphasizing the importance of the U.S. commitment to such missions.
In total, at least 135 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched at Yemen, along with 60 air-to-air missiles deployed against Houthi drones.
