Pentagon press Secretary Pat Ryder told reporters on Thursday that the U.S. navy destroyer had intercepted 3 missiles and several drones launched by Yemen-based Ansar Allah (commonly referred to as the Houthis).
The missiles and drones were launched from Yemen and flew out along the Red Sea towards the north when they were shot down by the USS Carney. Israeli and U.S. intelligence believe the ultimate target of the weapons was Israel. Saudi Arabian air defence is also reported to have shot down one of the drones.
The attack comes as Israel seems on the verge of a ground invasion of the Gaza strip, an action which some in the Iranian government have warned could spark an intervention by Iran’s proxy forces in the region. The attack from Yemen coincides with Israeli clashes on its northern border with Iran-backed Hezbollah, as well as numerous attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria by groups affiliated with Iran.
[Photo: Chief Mass Communication Specialist Eric Powell | US Navy]