US military announces thwarting Houthi attacks on two destroyers and three commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Monday that its forces thwarted attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis on two US destroyers and three US-flagged commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen.

"The U.S. Navy destroyers USS Stockdale ( DDG 106 ) and USS Okene ( DDG 77 ) successfully intercepted a series of Houthi-fired weapons while transiting the Gulf of Aden, between November 30 and December 1," CENTCOM said in a statement.

She added that the attack was launched by the Houthis while "the two destroyers were escorting three US-owned and operated commercial vessels flying the US flag."

"The two destroyers successfully intercepted three anti-ship ballistic missiles ( ASBMs ), three unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAS ), and an anti-ship cruise missile ( ASCM ), ensuring the safety of the ships and their personnel, as well as civilian ships and their crews," she added.

The statement indicated that "the reckless attacks did not result in any injuries or damage to any American civilian or naval vessels."

CENTCOM noted that the actions it took "reflect the continued commitment of US Central Command forces to protect US personnel, regional partners, and international shipping against attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis."

Yesterday evening, the Houthi militia announced, through its military spokesman, that it had targeted an American destroyer and three supply ships belonging to the American army in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, using 16 missiles and a drone.

For more than a year, the Iran-backed Houthi militia has been launching drone and missile attacks on cargo ships sailing in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen, claiming that it is in support of Gaza, which has been subjected to a devastating Israeli war since October 7 of last year. These attacks have negatively affected shipping, trade and global supply chains.

As a result, the United States formed a military coalition led by it, and since the beginning of this year, it has been carrying out strikes alongside Britain that it says target the Houthis’ military capabilities, in response to their attacks on cargo ships. The Houthis responded with attacks on American and British naval ships, considering them “military targets.”