US Intercepts Houthi Missiles, Preventing Attack In Red Sea

the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) fires a round from the Mark 45, Mod 2, 5 inch gun during a live-fire exercise in the Atlantic Ocean. (January 2021)
the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) fires a round from the Mark 45, Mod 2, 5 inch gun during a live-fire exercise in the Atlantic Ocean. (January 2021)

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported a maritime incident in the southern Red Sea, where two missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen were intercepted.

The missiles posed an imminent threat to a container ship flying the Singapore flag and owned/operated by Denmark.

The targeted container ship promptly reported a missile strike, prompting a rapid and coordinated response from the USS Gravely and USS Laboon. According to CENTCOM, the USS Gravely effectively thwarted two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels. The container ship, after inspection, was declared seaworthy, and fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew.

The Houthi rebels, an Iranian proxy which controls a significant portion of Yemen, have been actively disrupting global trade by targeting ships navigating through the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea. They claim the actions are retaliatory measures against Israel's retaliatory action in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Israel on October7. The recent incident marks the 23rd attack on international shipping by the Houthis since November 19, as reported by CENTCOM.

Despite ongoing international efforts to protect vessels in the Red Sea and an increased commitment to maritime missions, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the top commander of US naval forces in the Middle East, emphasized that the Houthi rebels show no indications of halting their "reckless" assaults on commercial ships.

In an interview with the Associated Press he said Operation Prosperity Guardian, launched just over 10 days ago, has proven successful, with more than 1,200 merchant ships safely navigating the Red Sea region without encountering drone or missile strikes.

However, US officials have accused Iran of endorsing the Houthi assaults on global shipping lanes—an allegation vehemently denied by Iran, which denies any involvement in the Red Sea incidents.