Illustrative Image: USS Carney firing interceptors at missiles and drones launched from Yemen over the Red Sea on October 19. Source: U.S. Army.
The Pentagon reported that the Houthis attacked several commercial cargo ships and a US warship in the Red Sea.
According to the report, on December 3, Ansar Allah launched strikes on several cargo ships sailing under the flags of Great Britain and the Bahamas, as well as a US Navy destroyer, which reportedly intercepted one UAV.
We are aware of the attacks on the destroyer USS Carney and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and will provide information as it becomes available, the report says.
According to the US, the attack was carried out by Ansar Allah, but they were allegedly organized by Iran. The US department promised to consider a “suitable response” in coordination with the allies.
According to unofficial reports, Ansar Allah militants attacked the Unity Explorer bulk carrier and the Number Nine vessel. The first was reportedly targeted by an anti-ship missile, the second vessel was attacked by a kamikaze drone, probably Shahed-131/136. The ships were reportedly hit after the crews ignored warnings.
Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath TV confirmed the attack on the ships. The incident reportedly took place in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Any damage is yet to be revealed.
The US military concluded that these attacks indicate a serious danger to navigation in the Red Sea amid the new round of escalation of war between Israel and Hamas.
Back in November, the Houthis promised to attack all ships belonging to Israel or somehow connected with the Jewish state in the Red Sea in response to the destruction of the Gaza Strip.
Another recent attack in the Red Sea targeted British cargo ship with rocket fire. LINK
The Houthis halted operations after a temporary ceasefire in Gaza entered into effect on November 24. A week later, they warned Israel that they will renew missile and drone attacks if the ceasefire was not extended. The warning was ignored and the ceasefire ended on December 1.
