TENSIONS are rising after the Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked three commercial ships in the Red Sea – a major shipping lane that runs between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
The US Central Command reported that the American destroyer USS Carney was forced to shoot down three drones in response to the distress calls sent by the three commercial vessels.
The US military claimed that a drone launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen headed toward USS Carney was shot down although US Department officials admitted it was not clear if the US Navy destroyer was the main target.
A spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces claimed responsibility for the drone and missile attacks on two ships they described as being linked to Israel but have not acknowledged targeting a US Navy vessel.
Israel’s military denied Israeli ships had been targeted while Washington said it does not believe all three ships attacked by the Houthis had ties to Israel.
American defense officials claimed that Iran’s allied proxies have targeted US troops in Iraq and Syria at least 76 times since October 17.
On Tuesday, the US Central Command said it had killed five militants and destroyed a drone. The US military allegedly caught the militants preparing to launch a one-way attack drone in Iraq the day before.
