Two US Navy destroyers intercepted incoming Houthi missiles and drones aimed at three US-flagged commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden, according to the US military. The ships involved sustained no damage, according to a statement issued by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). According to the statement, no injuries occurred. According to CENTCOM, the destroyers USS Stockade and USS O’Kane shot down “a range” of Houthi-launched weapons while travelling in the Gulf on Saturday and Sunday. “These actions reflect the ongoing commitment of CENTCOM forces to protect U.S. personnel, regional partners, and international shipping, against attacks by Iran-backed Houthis,” according to a statement from the command.

US Navy shoots down Houthi missiles targeting US-flagged commercial ships in Gulf of AdenTwo Navy destroyers were escorting commercial ships off the coast of Yemen.ByLuis MartinezDecember 2, 2024, 7:48 AM1:04American forces target Houthi-backed rebel facilities in YemenThe Iranian-backed group has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on commercial shipping in the Middle Ea…Show MoreTwo U.S. Navy destroyers shot down incoming Houthi missiles and drones that were targeting three U.S.-flagged commercial ships that the destroyers were escorting in the Gulf of Aden, the U.S. military said.There was no damage to the ships involved, the U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, said in a statement. There were no injuries, the statement said.The destroyers, the USS Stockade and the USS O’Kane, shot down “a range” of Houthi-launched weapons while traveling through the gulf on Saturday and Sunday, CENTCOM said.”These actions reflect the ongoing commitment of CENTCOM forces to protect U.S. personnel, regional partners, and international shipping, against attacks by Iran-backed Houthis,” the command said in a statement.

The Houthis commenced their campaign against ships in response to Israel’s conflict in Gaza, which began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7. Houthi leaders have promised to continue attacking until Israel concludes its campaign in Gaza and withdraws from the territory. The United States and the United Kingdom began their first airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in January 2024, following months of drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea. These strikes continued in November, officials added.

The Houthis launched over the weekend three anti-ship ballistic missiles, three attack drones and an anti-ship cruise missile, all of which were defeated, the Navy said.CENTCOM in a press release, which was dated Dec. 1, did not identify the civilian vessels that had been targeted.