US military forces successfully intercepted an anti-ship cruise missile launched from a Houthi-controlled region in Yemen towards the USS Laboon operating in the southern Red Sea, according to a statement from US Central Command on Sunday night.
This incident marks the first known attempt by Houthi rebels to target a US destroyer. Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported following the interception by US fighter aircraft.
The missile launch follows recent warnings from Houthi forces and their allies about potential military retaliation following the US-UK bombing of rebel-held areas in Yemen on Friday. Initial assessments suggested that only around 25% of the Houthi missile and drone capabilities were neutralized in the attack.
A Houthi supporter stated on Sunday that their attacks on merchant ships in the busy waterway south of the Suez Canal would persist, citing their conflict with Israel.
As tensions rise in the Middle East, the White House has suggested that it is the right time for Israel to scale back its military offensive in the Gaza Strip. This stance underscores the growing differences between the US and Israel on the 100th day of the ongoing conflict.
The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for regional stability and maritime security.