Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels Attack US Warship in Red Sea, US Navy Destroyer Fires Weapons

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

US Navy weapons have fired weapons in response to deliberate attacks on US Navy and commercial ships from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. 

“There were four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea. These three vessels are connected to 14 separate nations. The Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS CARNEY responded to the distress calls from the ships and provided assistance,” a statement from Central Command said. 

The USS Carney did fire weapons in response to defend itself at several points, destroying incoming enemy drones US Navy warships in the Red Sea have in recent weeks used ship-defenses to intercept missiles and drones originating from Iran-backed Houthi-rebel areas

The USS CARNEY detected an anti-ship ballistic missile attack fired from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen toward the M/V UNITY EXPLORER…a Bahamas flagged, U.K. owned and operated, bulk cargo ship crewed by sailors from two nations. The CARNEY  detected the attack on the UNITY EXPLORER, Central Command said. 

The CentCom statement also said the USS CARNEY engaged and shot down a UAV launched from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. The drone was headed toward CARNEY although its specific target is not clear. 

In a separate attack, the UNITY EXPLORER reported they were struck by a missile fired from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen, the Central Command statement said.  CARNEY responded to the distress call. 

“While assisting with the damage assessment, CARNEY detected another inbound UAV, destroying the drone with no damage or injuries on the CARNEY or UNITY EXPLORER. UNITY EXPLORER reports minor damage from the missile strike,” CentCom states.