Three commercial ships in the Red Sea were struck by ballistic missiles fired from Houthi rebels’ controlled areas in Yemen on Sunday and a US warship shot down three drones in self-defense during the hours long assault, the US military said.
In a statement, US Central Command said the attacks “represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world.” It said the three commercial ships and their crews are connected to 14 countries.
According to Central Command, the USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, detected a ballistic missile fired from Houthi rebel’s -controlled areas of Yemen at the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer.
The missile hit near the ship. Shortly afterward, the Carney shot down a drone headed its way, although it’s not clear if the destroyer was the target. The drone was also launched from the Houthi rebel’s -controlled areas Yemen.
About 30 minutes later, the Unity Explorer was hit by a missile, and while responding to the distress call the Carney shot down another incoming drone. Central Command said the Unity Explorer reported minor damage from the missile.
Two other commercial ships, the Panamanian-flagged bulk carriers Number 9 and Sophie II, were both struck by missiles. The Number 9 reported some damage but no casualties, and the Sophie II reported no significant damage.
While sailing to assist the Sophie II, the Carney shot down another drone heading in its direction. The drones did no damage.
“We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran,” Central Command said, adding that the US will consider “all appropriate responses.”
In November, the Houthis seized a vehicle transport ship in the Red Sea off Yemen. The rebels still hold the vessel near the port city of Hodeida. Missiles also landed near another US warship last week after it assisted a vessel linked to Israel that had briefly been seized by gunmen.
However, the Houthis had not directly targeted the Americans for some time, further raising the stakes in the growing maritime conflict. In 2016, the US launched Tomahawk cruise missiles that destroyed three coastal radar sites in Houthi-controlled territory to retaliate for missiles being fired at US Navy ships at the time.