US Navy ships repel attack from Yemeni Houthis in Gulf of Aden
Photo: USS Stockdale DDG 106 participated in repelling the Houthi attack (defense.gov)
Two US Navy destroyers repelled a missile-drone attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels targeting commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden. No civilian ships or crew were harmed, reports the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
According to the US military, the USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS O'Kane (DDG 77) destroyers repelled the aerial assault. The Houthi attack and the downing of air targets occurred on December 9-10.
“The destroyers were escorting three US-owned, operated, and flagged merchant's vessels,” CENTCOM stated.
The US side noted that the “reckless attacks resulted in no injuries and no damage to any vessels, civilians or US Naval.”
According to American sources, the destroyers successfully targeted and destroyed unmanned aerial systems and one anti-ship cruise missile.
"During a transit on Nov. 30 – Dec. 1, the destroyers successfully defeated an Iran-backed Houthi attack," CENTCOM added.
Earlier, on December 10, Western media reported that a Houthi military spokesman commented on the attack on a group of ships. According to the Yemeni rebel representative, the targets of the strike were three supply ships and two US destroyers escorting them in the Gulf of Aden.
US and allies' operation in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks
The US regularly reports the destruction of drones, missiles, and other weaponry belonging to the Yemeni Houthis. These actions are taken by the Western coalition (the US, the UK, and their allies) in response to Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
However, the Houthis are targeting not only commercial ships and tankers but also Western military vessels.
At the end of November, it was reported that the Houthis launched two ballistic missiles at the USS Mason, which was involved in the liberation of a seized tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
On November 9, US military forces carried out airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, targeting weapons depots used by the militants to attack ships off the country’s coast.
On November 13, US Navy ships intercepted drones and missiles launched by the Houthis while passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. US aircraft from the USS Abraham Lincoln operated to repel these strikes.
