U.S. Navy destroyers intercepted on Monday a Houthi missile and drone assault in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping route. The Pentagon confirmed that all eight drones, five ballistic missiles, and three cruise missiles were neutralized, with no damage or casualties reported.
According to Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, all incoming threats were neutralized by the two destroyers: the USS Stockdale (DDG-106) and the USS Spruance (DDG-111).
The attack marks the second known Houthi assault on these U.S. vessels. In September, the same destroyers, along with the USS Indianapolis (LCS-17), faced a similar attack while in the same region. The location connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, making it essential for commercial shipping, including shipments to and from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
While Houthi representatives initially did not claim responsibility, later statements by Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare’e, a Houthi military spokesperson, acknowledged the attack and further claimed that the Houthis targeted the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Pentagon officials, however, have denied any knowledge of attacks on the carrier, which was positioned in the Gulf of Aden at the time.
Houthi forces have intensified attacks on commercial and military vessels in the region in support of Hamas.
In response to the growing threat, the United States, Britain, and Israel have conducted retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. Last October, U.S. B-2 stealth bombers targeted Houthi bunkers. Just last week, U.S. forces conducted targeted airstrikes on Houthi weapons storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
U.S. Central Command has released Drone Footage showing one of the Strikes on November 9-10th, against a Houthi Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Launcher inside of a Box Truck somewhere in Western Yemen; with at least 2 Terrorists standing near the Truck having also been Eliminated. pic.twitter.com/ruH6FNPcQZ
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 13, 2024
