American ships and jets were called into action Tuesday to counter a 10-hour attack on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen — after the rebels launched missiles at a cargo ship and vowed more attacks in “solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
The destroyer USS Laboon and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group shot down a dozen one-way drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles and two land attack cruise missiles beginning around 6:30 a.m. local time, US Central Command announced on X.
No damage or injuries were reported following the latest aggression by the Tehran proxies.
The Houthis have stepped up attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea — a major shipping artery — since Israel declared war on Hamas following the Oct. 7 terror attack that killed approximately 1,200 people, including 33 Americans.
Also Tuesday, the Houthis launched an air attack with naval missiles on a Liberia-flagged commercial ship making its way to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia, rebel military spokesman Yahya Sare’e said in a statement.
US forces shot down 17 missiles and drones in the Red Sea.
US Central Command announced that troops were able to strike down a dozen one-way drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles and two land attack cruise missiles fired by Houthis in 10 hours Tuesday. X/@CENTCOMHouthi military spokesperson Yahya Sare’e said the attack on the MSC United VIII came after the crew onboard “refused” calls from its naval forces, along with “repeated, fiery warning messages.”
“The Yemeni Armed Forces affirm their continued support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in consistent with their religious, moral and humanitarian duty,” Sare’e posted on X Tuesday afternoon.
Switzerland-based MSC Mediterranean Shipping also confirmed the attack, saying crew members informed nearby warships and “as instructed, engaged in evasive maneuvers.”
It is unclear what these maneuvers were.
The Yemeni group also launched an attack on the MSC United VIII on Tuesday as it made its way to Saudi Arabia. X/Yahya Sare'e
MSC Mediterranean Shipping said crew members informed a coalition of nearby warships of the attack and “as instructed, engaged in evasive maneuvers.” dpa/picture alliance via Getty ImagesNone of the crew members reported any injuries and a “thorough assessment” of the vessel is being conducted, the company said in a statement. It is unclear what damage was caused to the vessel.
“Our first priority remains protecting the lives and safety of our seafarers, and until their safety can be ensured, MSC will continue to reroute vessels booked for Suez transit via the Cape of Good Hope,” it added.
MSC Mediterranean Shipping became the latest major firm to suspend operations in the Red Sea following Houthi attacks along with BP, AP Moller-Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM.
In November, armed Houthi rebels seized the Galaxy Leader commercial ship.
Terrifying footage released by the Iran-backed group shows armed men dropping from a helicopter and storming the vessel in the southern Red Sea on Nov. 19.
Footage shows armed Houthi rebels seizing the Galaxy Leader commercial shi[ in November. Houthi Movement via Getty ImagesThe Bahamas flagged car carrier was then taken to the port of Hodeidah in the Houthi-controlled north of Yemen.
The vessel’s crew was made up of nationals from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania.
Earlier this month, the ship’s owner, Galaxy Maritime, said the crew has been allowed “modest contact” with their families while various countries push for their release.
The White House has previously accused Iran of fueling the Houthi attacks by providing the group with drones, missiles and tactical intelligence. AFP via Getty ImagesMeanwhile, the United States and at least nine other nations established a naval task force last week to secure the Red Sea — through which 10% of all global trade passes.
If the Houthi attacks cause the death of a US service member, the Biden administration may be forced to take even stronger action, according to Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former adviser to secretaries of state on the Middle East.
“If we’re attacked directly and Americans die, then there’s going to be a much, much heavier response,” he told Bloomberg.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has also warned that “anyone who takes action against us will become a potential target.
“There will be no immunity for anyone,” he told members of the Knesset, Bloomberg reports.
The White House has said Iran has assisted the Houthi attacks by providing the group with drones, missiles and tactical intelligence.
“We know that Iran was deeply involved in planning the operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement last week.
“This is consistent with Iran’s long-term material support and encouragement of the Houthis’ destabilizing actions in the region.”
Iran has denied involvement.
With Post wires
