On December 3, 2023, multiple commercial ships and a U.S. warship came under attack in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels from Yemen. The Houthi rebels launched missile and drone attacks against the ships, causing damage to at least two vessels. The attacked commercial ships included a British-owned vessel, Unity Explorer, and a Norwegian vessel, Number 9.
In response to the attack, the U.S. warship, USS Carney, fired missiles and shot down three drones. The Pentagon confirmed the attack and stated that the USS Carney was acting in self-defense. The attacks on the commercial ships were claimed by the Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Hamas. However, it was not clear at the time if the U.S. warship was intentionally targeted.
The attack on the ships occurred amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The Houthi rebels have previously launched missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and other neighboring countries. The Red Sea region has been a hotspot for tensions, with various actors involved in the conflict, including the Houthi rebels, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
The significance of this attack is that it demonstrates the Houthi rebels' ability to strike targets beyond their immediate region and poses a threat to international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The attack raises concerns about the security of maritime trade routes and the potential for escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The U.S. and its allies are closely monitoring the situation in the region and assessing the appropriate response. The attack highlights the need for increased security measures and international coordination to protect shipping vessels from potential threats in the Red Sea.
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