Yemen's Houthi Rebels Fire Missile at US Warship in First Attack Following Washington's Strikes

An anti-ship cruise missile was fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels towards an American destroyer in the Red Sea on Sunday. However, the missile was successfully intercepted and shot down by a US fighter jet. This incident adds to the ongoing tensions in global shipping, which have been heightened by Israel's conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Per VOA News, the Houthis have carried out an attack that the United States has acknowledged as a direct targeting. This comes after America and its allies initiated strikes on the rebels in response to a series of assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.

Houthi Rebels Fight Back Against US, Allies Missile Attacks

(Photo : MoD Crown Copyright via Getty Images)
AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - JANUARY 11: In this handout image provided by the UK Ministry of Defence, an RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off from RAF Akrotiri to join the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels on January 11, 2024 in Akrotiri, Cyprus. On Thursday evening, four RAF Typhoons launched from RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have been targeting merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with missiles and drones. According to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the strikes were done to protect global shipping in the region.

The Houthis have focused their attention on the vital corridor that connects Asian and Mideast energy and cargo shipments to Europe via the Suez Canal. These attacks pose a significant risk of escalating the Israel-Hamas war into a larger regional conflict.

The attack was not immediately acknowledged by the Houthis, a Shiite rebel group with ties to Iran. The US response to the latest attack remains uncertain, but President Joe Biden has emphasized his commitment to taking necessary measures to protect the American people and international commerce.

According to a statement from the US military's Central Command, the USS Laboon, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, was targeted by Houthi fire while operating in the southern reaches of the Red Sea.

The missile originated from a location near Hodeida, a Red Sea port city that has been under the control of the Houthis for a significant period.On the first day of the US-led strikes, 28 locations were targeted, resulting in over 60 hits. These targets were engaged by a variety of means, including cruise missiles, bombs launched by fighter jets, warships, and even a submarine.

The US has reported that the sites targeted in the attacks included weapon depots, radars, and command centers, some of which were located in remote mountain areas. The extent of the damage caused by the strikes is still unacknowledged by the Houthis, who have reported the loss of five troops and injuries to six others.A strike was carried out by US forces on Saturday, targeting a Houthi radar site.

Shipping in the Red Sea has experienced a decrease in speed due to recent attacks. The US Navy issued a cautionary advisory to American-flagged vessels, urging them to avoid certain areas in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for 72 hours following the commencement of airstrikes.

According to the Houthis, the US targeted a location near Hodeida on Sunday, coinciding with the cruise missile attack. However, they have not presented any evidence to support their allegations. No acknowledgment was made by the Americans and the United Kingdom regarding any strike. This suggests that the blast could potentially be the result of a misfiring Houthi missile.

Red Sea Tension

Since November, there have been multiple instances of rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The rebels claim that these attacks are in retaliation for Israel's military actions against Hamas in Gaza. However, they have often focused on ships that have weak or unclear connections to Israel, putting global trade at risk in a crucial shipping route.

Despite efforts by the Biden administration and its allies to ease tensions in the Middle East and avoid a larger conflict, the recent strikes have the potential to escalate the situation.

Saudi Arabia, which backs the Yemeni government-in-exile that is being opposed by the Houthis, has attempted to distance itself from the attacks on Houthi sites. This move comes as Saudi Arabia aims to preserve a fragile balance with Iran and uphold a ceasefire in Yemen. The conflict in Yemen, which started in 2015 with the involvement of Saudi Arabia and support from the United States, has resulted in a devastating loss of life.

Over 150,000 individuals, including both combatants and innocent civilians, have tragically lost their lives. This ongoing war has also led to the creation of a dire humanitarian crisis, claiming the lives of tens of thousands more people. The American military did not explicitly state that the fire was aimed at the Laboon, in line with the US approach since the Houthi attacks commenced.

Nevertheless, American sailors have been awarded combat ribbons for their courageous actions in the Red Sea. These ribbons are only given to those who have directly confronted enemy forces in active hostilities, as per ABC News.