US Navy intercepts 24 Houthi missiles and drones from Yemen in Red Sea, according to US defense officials
US Navy successfully intercepts 24 Houthi missiles and drones launched from Yemen over the Red Sea, marking a major response to one of the largest Houthi attacks in recent months
Two US defense officials reported that the US Navy successfully intercepted 24 Houthi missiles and drones launched from Yemen in one of the biggest attacks to occur in the Red Sea in recent months. Initial assessments indicate that no ships were damaged and there were no injuries resulting from the extensive drone and missile launch.
Three destroyers participated in the destruction of the barrage, according to one official. The US has several ships in the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational initiative to protect shipping in one of the world's most crucial waterways. The coalition includes over 20 countries.
"A Houthi attack took place today near the southern Red Sea. We will share more information when it becomes available," stated a third defense official.
It wasn't immediately apparent if the missiles and drones were launched at the same time. The launch occurred while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the Middle East to try to control the conflict in Gaza and prevent it from spreading to other areas in the region.
Blinken visited Israel on Tuesday and emphasized the importance of allowing Palestinians in Gaza to return to their homes "as soon as conditions permit." He has consistently urged the Israeli government to minimize civilian casualties resulting from their bombardment of Gaza.
The Iran-backed Houthis have announced that their drone and missile attacks are a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Their initial series of attacks, which started shortly after the Israel-Hamas conflict began, targeted commercial vessels with ties to Israel.
Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the US Naval Central Command commander, stated last week that most of the recent dozen attacks had no ties to Israel. Despite this, the attacks have drawn in more nations. The US believes that 55 nations are directly linked to the targeted ships, whether through the ship's flag state, crew nationality, origin and destination, or ownership.
"The impact of these attacks spreads across the globe, and as weve said, this is an international problem that requires an international solution," Cooper said.
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