Second In Week, US Shoots Down Two Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles In Response To Houthi Attack On Merchant Vessel In Red Sea

On Saturday (30 December), an American destroyer intercepted two anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Yemen, according to the US military. This action was in response to a distress signal from a container ship that had been targeted in a different attack.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated in a social media post that the missiles were fired from a region under the control of the Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran. They characterised this as the "23rd unauthorised assault by the Houthis on international shipping" since 19 November.

The Houthis have consistently aimed at vessels in the crucial Red Sea shipping route, claiming these attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, who are in conflict with the Israel.

CENTCOM reported that the USS Gravely and USS Laboon, both destroyers, came to the aid of the Maersk Hangzhou, a container ship flagged in Singapore and owned and operated by Denmark. The ship had reported a missile strike while navigating the Red Sea.

In its response, the Gravely successfully intercepted the missiles that were launched in the direction of the ships, according to the statement.

Earlier, the United States announced on Tuesday that it had intercepted twelve attack drones and five missiles, allegedly launched by the Iran-supported Houthi group.

The Yemeni rebels' assaults, who have declared their targets as Israel and vessels linked to Israel, pose a threat to a transit route responsible for transporting nearly 12 per cent of the world's trade. This has led the United States to establish a multinational naval task force earlier this month to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea.

The US military presence in Iraq and Syria has consistently been the target of drone and rocket assaults, which, according to Washington, are executed by armed factions supported by Iran.