- The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations agency today said it had received reports of a drone attack in the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandab strait
An American warship shot down a drone heading towards it in the Red Sea while answering a distress call from a commercial vessel, two defence officials have said.
According to a statement from the U.S. Central Command: “Today, there were four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea. These three vessels are connected to 14 separate nations. The Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS CARNEY responded to the distress calls from the ships and provided assistance.
“At approximately 9:15 a.m. Sanaa time, the CARNEY detected an anti-ship ballistic missile attack fired from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen toward the M/V UNITY EXPLORER, impacting in the vicinity of the vessel. UNITY EXPLORER is a Bahamas flagged, U.K. owned and operated, bulk cargo ship crewed by sailors from two nations. The CARNEY was conducting a patrol in the Red Sea and detected the attack on the UNITY EXPLORER.
“At approximately 12 p.m., and while in international waters, CARNEY engaged and shot down a UAV launched from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. The drone was headed toward CARNEY although its specific target is not clear. We cannot assess at this time whether the Carney was a target of the UAVs.
“There was no damage to the U.S. vessel or injuries to personnel. In a separate attack at approximately 12:35 p.m., UNITY EXPLORER reported they were struck by a missile fired from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. CARNEY responded to the distress call. While assisting with the damage assessment, CARNEY detected another inbound UAV, destroying the drone with no damage or injuries on the CARNEY or UNITY EXPLORER. UNITY EXPLORER reports minor damage from the missile strike.
“At approximately 3:30 p.m. the M/V NUMBER 9 was struck by a missile fired from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen while operating international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The Panamanian flagged, Bermuda and U.K. owned and operated, bulk carrier reported damage and no casualties. At approximately 4:30 p.m., the M/V SOPHIE II, sent a distress call stating they were struck by a missile. CARNEY again responded to the distress call and reported no significant damage.
“While en route to render support, CARNEY shot down a UAV headed in its direction. SOPHIE II is a Panamanian flagged bulk carrier, crewed by sailors from eight countries. These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world.
“We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran. The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.”
It comes after the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations agency said it had received reports of a drone attack in the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandab strait.
Earlier, it reported drone activity that originated from Yemen, as well as a possible explosion, and called on vessels in the area to be cautious.
The Yemeni Ansar Allah movement (the Houthi) militant group later claimed to have targeted two Israeli ships in the Red Sea,
A Spokesperson for the group’s military said: “The Naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces, carried out an operation against 2 Israeli ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
“The targeted ships were the “UNITY EXPLORER” and the “No. 9.” The first ship was targeted with a anti-ship missile, and the second one with a maritime drone.”
Brigadier General Yahya Saree, while confirming the names of the two ships, said they were targeted after they rejected warnings from the group’s Navy.
Brigadier General Saree said the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer is owned by a British firm that includes Dan David Ungar, who lives in Israel.
Israeli media identified Ungar as being the son of Israeli shipping billionaire Abraham Ungar.
The second was a Panamanian-flagged container ship called Number 9, which is linked to Bernhard Schulte Ship management, Saree said.
The group is an acclaimed ally of Iran and controls most of Yemen’s Red Sea coast. It has previously fired ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel and vowed to target more Israeli vessels.
With additional reports from @Sky News