US Navy warship intercepts missiles, drones off Yemen coast: Pentagon
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Pentagon officials said that the missiles were potentially targeting "Israel," noting that the attack may be ongoing.
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The US Fleet Forces posted a picture of the USS Carney (DDG 64) on social media (@USFleetForces)
A CNN report on Thursday stated, citing two US officials, that a US Navy warship deployed in the Middle East intercepted several projectiles in the vicinity of the Yemeni coast on Thursday.
As per one of the officials, the missiles were launched by Ansar Allah, and these militants are currently involved in a sustained conflict in Yemen. The second official indicated that 3 missiles were successfully intercepted.
According to Israeli Channel 13 security analyst Alon Ben David, "Israel" assesses that the missiles fired from Yemen and intercepted by the US were potentially targeting the occupied territories.
The officials said it was unclear what the missiles were targeting. It’s possible the missiles were fired at the USS Carney or launched toward another target.
Later on, Pentagon press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder acknowledged that three missiles fired by Ansar Allah in Yemen—possibly aimed at "Israel"—were intercepted by a US Navy destroyer.
"The crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney operating in the northern Red Sea earlier today shot down three land attack cruise missiles and several drones that were launched by Houthi [Ansar Allah] forces in Yemen," Ryder said during a press briefing.
"Information about these engagements is still being processed and we cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen heading north along the Red Sea, potentially towards targets in Israel."
Furthermore, Ryder added that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had spoken with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the president of the United Arab Emirates, Emir Sheikh Tamim of Qatar, as well as his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Israel, earlier in the day.
According to Pentagon spokesperson Ryder, a US military contractor passed away from a heart attack yesterday at the Ain al-Assad airbase in Iraq while trying to find cover during a drone attack.
Read more: Al-Qassam fire rockets from South Lebanon amid Hezbollah operations
This comes amid increased escalations in the Middle East due to the Israeli-led genocide in Gaza.
Iran has issued warnings multiple times to "Israel" that if the war on Gaza keeps on going, it will be compelled to intervene.
Moreover, over the past several days, the IOF has been engaging in an exchange of back-and-forth missiles with Lebanon's movement of resistance, Hezbollah.
Earlier, Israeli media reported that Yemen poses an additional threat to "Israel" following the announcement of general mobilization by the Ansar Allah movement.
The Yemeni group has expressed its readiness to actively participate in the battle alongside the Palestinians in occupied Palestine.
Likewise, resistance groups in Iraq, including the PMF, have offered to assist the Palestinian people on numerous fronts, including aid and military assistance.
Read more: Iranian FM compares region to powder keg
The USS Carney transited through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea on Wednesday, under the pretext that it would "help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East," according to a tweet posted on X by the US Fleet Forces Command.
The @USNavy is operating nearly 100 ships around the globe every day.
— U.S. Fleet Forces (@USFleetForces) October 19, 2023
📍SUEZ CANAL - The guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) transited the Suez Canal on Oct. 18 to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. pic.twitter.com/2f2UjRECD9
