The Middle East saw a significant threat escalation on Sunday as a U.S. warship and several commercial ships were hit with a targeted attack in the Red Sea.
The coordinated assault involved ballistic missiles and drone assaults. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in an official statement: “Today, there were four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea.”
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney played a critical role in defending against the attack. The Carney was able to shoot down several attacking drones. An unnamed U.S. official told reporters, “The USS Carney was in the southern Red Sea, just north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, when it shot down three Houthi drones heading in its direction.”
🚨 BREAKING: The Pentagon says a US warship and multiple commercial ships have come under attack in the Red Sea
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 3, 2023
The attack has broad international implications. Three commercial ships with official connections to at least 14 countries sustained damage from missile strikes.
The Houthi rebels immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks. The insurgent group is based in Yemen and is made up of Zaidi Shia Muslims. Beginning in the late 1990s, the group began fighting the Yemeni government in order to gain greater autonomy for the Zaidi population. The group’s influence has expanded and taken on a central role in the ongoing civil war in Yemen since 2015.
The Houthis received military and financial support from the Iranian regime. The group has become a leading actor against U.S. and Saudi interests throughout the Middle East.
General Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, said of the Sunday attacks: “The Yemeni armed forces will continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip stops.”
BREAKING: The United States Central Command has released a statement, stating that there were four attacks on three commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The USS Carney responded to the distress calls and “provided assistance.”
“Today, there were four attacks against three… pic.twitter.com/j1L2NSh7G1
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 3, 2023
CENTCOM was unequivocal in its assessment of the situation: “These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security.”
The U.S. immediately took a leadership position with the international community in considering appropriate responses to Sunday’s attacks. CENTCOM said, “The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.”
Sunday’s engagement represents a significant escalation in the ongoing maritime conflicts in the Middle East. The stakes are high, and a resolution that eliminates the threat of further disruptive attacks is critical for global commerce and regional security stability.
