U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday its forces shot down one anti-ship ballistic missile and three one-way attack unmanned aerial systems launched from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels controlled areas of Yemen toward USS Carney (DDG 64) in the Red Sea.
In a Tuesday press release CENTCOM added that its forces destroyed later on the day another three anti-ship missiles and three unmanned surface vessels (USV) located in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
CENTCOM forces clarified that it identified the missiles, UAVs, and USVs and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the U.S. Navy ships in the region.
CENTCOM concluded that these actions are taken in self-defense to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.