US warship reduces suicidal 'drone wave' launched from Yemen into Red Sea

A US warship operating in the Red Sea was confronted by a wave of suicide drones launched from Yemen on Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

All 14 one-way attack drones were assessed as coming from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, CENTCOM said, but did not do so directly. to confirm if the Iran-backed militia intended to attack the US destroyer. Sending a “wave of drones” near US warships would signal an escalation, as similar incidents in recent weeks have involved the USS Carney and other warships. falling unique drones that threaten ships.

“In the early morning hours of December 16 (Sanna time), the United States Arliegh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS CARNEY (DDG 64), operating in the Red Sea, successfully engaged 14 air systems not manned launched as a wave of Houthi-controlled drones. areas of Yemen,” the statement said.

There was no damage to the ship and no immediate injuries, CENTCOM said. “Red Sea regional partners alerted to threat”.

The Houthis have it intensified drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in or near the Red Sea, saying they would threaten any ship that intends to deliver cargo to Israel or whose ownership is linked to the Israelis. Many of the vessels targeted have denied any connection to Israel.

USS Carney is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of ​​operations to prevent an escalation of hostilities throughout the Middle East, seconds to a statement from CENTCOM.

CENTCOM Commander Gen. Erik Kurilla had just visited the Carney on Dec. 11 to get a better picture of what taking place in the region

Overnight on Friday, a British warship was also confronted by a suspected one-way attack drone targeting merchant shipping, the UK defense minister said. said.

On Friday, the Houthis demanded the Liberian-flagged motor ship MSC Alanya divert, but the ship continued on its way north while maintaining communications with US forces and is believed to be traveling safely , according to CENTCOM. said. The Houthis then hit the Liberian-flagged motor ship Al Jasrah as it headed south, causing a fire on board.

In another incident on Friday, Houthi forces fired two ballistic missiles at sea lanes in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and one of the missiles hit the Liberian-flagged MV Palatium 3, CENTCOM said. The destroyer USS Mason responded to the Palatium's distress call.

“The other missile probably missed a ship. None of the three ships attacked have reported injuries, but this latest round of attacks is further demonstration of the great risk to international shipping caused by these Houthi actions,” it read in the statement.

Several international shipping companies have closed or restricted Red Sea traffic, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The Pentagon maintains it climbing in hostile actions against commercial shipping in the Red Sea are not driven by the war between Israel and Hamas.

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