Yemen's Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile at a U.S. warship in the Red Sea on Sunday, but it was shot down by a U.S. fighter jet.
At around 4:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, an anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebel region at the aircraft carrier Rabun, which was operating in the southern Red Sea, U.S. Central Command said. . The United States said the missiles came from near the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, long controlled by the Houthis.
“The missile was shot down.” [the] Near the Hodeidah coast by US fighter jets. No injuries or damage were reported,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The attack by the Houthis was the first acknowledged by the United States since they began attacking U.S. and allied rebels on Friday after weeks of attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
US carries out additional strikes in Yemen, officials announce
Yemen's Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile at a U.S. warship in the Red Sea on Sunday, but it was shot down by a U.S. fighter jet. (AP photo)
The Houthis have targeted the vital corridor that connects energy and cargo shipments from Asia and the Middle East to the Suez Canal on their way to Europe over the ongoing war between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists.
It was not immediately clear whether the United States would retaliate for the attack, but President Biden said he would “not hesitate to direct further action as necessary to protect our people and the freedom of international commerce.”
On Friday, the first day of the U.S.-led offensive, cruise missiles and bombs fired from fighter jets, warships and submarines hit more than 60 targets in 28 locations. The US said the areas attacked included weapons depots, radar and command centers.
The US military then attacked Houthi radar sites again on Saturday.
Centcom releases statement following Houthi attacks in Yemen: 'Illegal and dangerous actions will not be tolerated'
U.S. Central Command said no injuries were reported from Sunday's attack. (U.S. Central Command)
Transport through the Red Sea has been delayed due to the attack. The US Navy on Friday warned US-flagged vessels to avoid areas surrounding Yemen in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for 72 hours after the first airstrike.
The Houthis claimed, without providing evidence, that the US struck near Hodeidah at about the same time as Sunday's cruise missile attack. The United States and Britain have not confirmed the attack, suggesting it may have been a mistake by a Houthi missile.
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As the Israel-Hamas war continues following Hamas' attack on the Jewish state on October 7, the Biden administration and U.S. allies have sought to prevent the conflict from escalating, but attacks between the U.S. and the Houthis have There are concerns that the conflict could escalate.
Fox News' Liz Friden and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
