In a significant escalation of hostilities, three commercial ships in the Red Sea were targeted by ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen on Sunday, the Pentagon reported.
The US military reported that a US Navy destroyer, the USS Carney, shot down three drones in self-defense during the prolonged assault. The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack, marking a heightened level of aggression in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Unprecedented Maritime Escalation
The attacks occurred against the backdrop of a series of maritime incidents linked to the Israel-Hamas war, with multiple vessels becoming targets in a single Houthi assault for the first time in the conflict.
The US Central Command issued a statement highlighting that these attacks posed a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security, putting the lives of international crews from 14 countries at risk.
The USS Carney detected a ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled areas at the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer, causing minor damage.
Subsequently, the Carney intercepted a drone, although the intended target remains unclear. Two other commercial ships, the Panamanian-flagged bulk carriers Number 9 and Sophie II, were also struck by missiles.
The Number 9 reported damage, while the Sophie II sustained no significant harm. As tensions rise, the US Central Command emphasized its belief that the attacks launched by the Houthis are fully enabled by Iran.
The military command stated that the US would consider “all appropriate responses” to the provocations. The USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, had previously intercepted rockets fired by the Houthis toward Israel during the conflict.
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Houthi Attacks on Israeli-Linked Ships Escalate Tensions
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attacks, asserting that the Yemeni armed forces aimed to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Saree warned that Israeli ships or those associated with Israelis would be considered legitimate targets if they violated the stated warnings.
The first vessel targeted, the Unity Explorer, is owned by a British firm with connections to Dan David Ungar, residing in Israel.
The Number 9 is linked to Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement. While the managers for the ship could not be immediately reached for comment, Israeli media identified Dan David Ungar as the son of Israeli shipping billionaire Abraham “Rami” Ungar.
The maritime conflict has seen a series of Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and the launch of drones and missiles targeting Israel.
Global shipping faces increased threats as the Israel-Hamas war poses risks of a wider regional conflict. Despite a brief truce, the collapse of negotiations and the resumption of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have heightened the possibility of further seaborne attacks.
This incident follows the Houthi seizure of a vehicle transport ship linked to Israel in November, which is still held by the rebels near the port city of Hodeida.
The Houthis had not directly targeted American forces for some time, raising concerns about the broader implications of the growing maritime conflict.
In 2016, the US responded to missile attacks on its Navy ships by launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, destroying three coastal radar sites in Houthi-controlled territory.
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