Commercial shipping in the Red Sea was thrown into disarray on Sunday after three vessels were attacked, prompting a swift response from a US destroyer.
The US Central Command confirmed the incident, stating that the destroyer successfully shot down three drones used in the assault.
Initial reports suggest the vessels, representing 14 different countries including the UK, were targeted from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
Two missiles struck two of the ships, but thankfully caused no casualties.
A Houthi spokesperson claimed responsibility for the attack, specifically targeting two Israeli ships. However, the Israeli military has denied any Israeli affiliation with the vessels, adding another layer of complexity to the already tense situation.
The US destroyer's intervention, while successful in neutralizing the immediate threat, highlights the ongoing volatility in the Red Sea, a vital shipping lane for global trade.
The Houthis' claim of targeting Israeli ships, contradicted by the Israeli military, injects further uncertainty and potential for escalation.
As the investigation unfolds, it's crucial to remain objective and avoid jumping to conclusions. Let's hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to ensure the safety of innocent lives and the stability of this critical maritime corridor.
Parts of Yemen have been under the control of the Houthis, an Iranian-backed movement, ever since the 2014 overthrow of the government that sparked an ongoing civil conflict.
It has recently begun targeting vessels with ties to Israel in the Red Sea in retaliation for the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which is supported by Iran in Gaza.
The USS Carney detected an anti-ship ballistic missile igniting near the Bahamian-flagged, UK-owned and operated cargo ship Unity Explorer on Sunday morning, according to Centcom.
After intercepting a drone approaching the Carney, Centcom said it was unclear if it was aiming for it. A missile from a Houthi-controlled zone hit the Unity Explorer that afternoon, causing slight damage.
In response to the ship's distress signal, the United States vessel identified and intercepted an additional approaching drone.
Two additional vessels, one of which was partially owned by the United Kingdom and both of which were flagged in Panama, subsequently reported being struck by missiles.
As it approached the second ship to provide assistance, the USS Carney intercepted a third drone.
US Central Command, known as Centcom mentioned that the attacks endangered the lives of the personnel of the ships, which consisted of individuals from different nations, and posed an immediate danger to maritime security and international trade.
Centcom also added that there is every reason to assume that Iran is fully enabling these strikes, even if they were carried out by the Houthis in Yemen, according to the statement.
The United States of America announced earlier this week that its navy had apprehended armed men who had earlier taken control of a tanker with ties to Israel off the coast of Yemen.
On the other hand, according to Centcom, two missiles were launched in the direction of the cruiser from land in Yemen that was controlled by the rebel Houthis.
It has been declared by the Houthis that they are a member of a "axis of resistance" consisting of Iran-affiliated forces that operates in opposition to Israel, the United States of America, and the larger Western world.
