The US navy announced on March 6 that it had destroyed an anti-ship ballistic missile and three unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the Red Sea on March 5.
This was followed by a statement from Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sree, who announced that the militant group targeted two American warships.
He further stated that the Houthis will not stop until the aggression is halted and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.
While the Houthi rebels launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles on March 5, one of the missiles hit a Liberian-flagged container ship in the Gulf of Aden, and another missile targeting an American warship was shot down.
An Indian navy Kolkata-class destroyer, deployed for maritime security operations, saved 23 crew members onboard the Liberian-flagged ship, and the navy team assisted in firefighting efforts.
In response, the US launched fresh airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen and destroyed three anti-ship ballistic missiles and three unmanned surface vessels.
In November 2023, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels began attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in support of Hamas.
On January 12, the US and UK launched massive airstrikes on Houthi militants across Yemen and destroyed at least 60 targets in 16 locations.
Following the US and UK airstrikes, Houthi rebels began targeting US navy ships with drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
While the US navy has successfully shot down all missiles launched towards American warships so far, this crisis would escalate if a single missile were to hit an American warship in the future.
