There were four attacks on three commercial vessels Sunday in international waters in the Southern Red Sea, United States Central Command confirmed. The attacks were alleged to have been supported by Iran.
The three vessels were connected to 14 different nations, and the Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS Carney responded and provided assistance after distress calls from the ships, CENTCOM said in a press release.
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At around 9:15 a.m. Sanaa time, the Carney detected an anti-ship ballistic missile fired toward the Bahamas flagged and United Kingdom owned bulk cargo ship Unity Explorer, which is crewed by sailors from two nations, CENTCOM said. The missile originated in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen.
The release said the Carney was patrolling the area when it detected the attack.
The Carney later shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in international waters that was heading for the U.S. warship around noon. The UAV was also from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen, according to the release, and its specific target was unknown.
There was no reported damage from the noon incident to the U.S. ship or personnel.
Separately, at just after 12:30 p.m., Unity Explorer reported it had been hit by a missile fired from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. Carney responded and while assessing the damage, the U.S. warship detected and shot down another inbound UAV. There was no additional damage reported to either ship. There was minor damage reported to the Unity Explorer from the initial missile hit.
Later, at around 3:30 p.m., the Panamanian flagged, Bermuda and U.K. owned Number Nine cargo ship was struck by a missile fired from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. The ship was in international waters in the Red Sea, according to the release. The ship reported damage but no casualties.
Around 4:30 p.m., the ship Sophie II, a Panamanian flagged bulk carrier, sent a distress call saying it had been hit by a missile. Carney responded, and there was no significant damage, according to the release.
Carney shot down another UAV while en route to assist the Sophie II, which is crewed by sailors from eight nations.
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“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,” CENTCOM said in the release.
“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.”
