“Houthi Cruise Missile Narrowly Misses US Destroyer in Red Sea”
On Tuesday night, a Houthi-launched cruise missile in the Red Sea came dangerously close to a US destroyer, marking the closest encounter with a Houthi attack on a US warship, according to four US officials who spoke to CNN. The USS Gravely successfully shot down the missile using its Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), an automated machine gun designed for close-range intercepts. This incident highlights the ongoing threat the Houthis pose to US naval assets and commercial shipping in the region.
While previous interceptions of Houthi missiles occurred at a range of eight miles or more, the USS Gravely had to employ its CIWS for the first time since late last year when the US began intercepting Houthi missiles. The use of the CIWS underscores the urgency and proximity of the threat, serving as a final defensive measure when other layers of defense have failed.
The Houthi attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region, following a drone attack by Iran-backed militants that resulted in the deaths of three US service members at a US outpost in Jordan. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned the “reckless and illegal attacks” on US warships and commercial vessels, pointing to Iran’s involvement in providing the Houthis with advanced weaponry, intelligence, and expertise.
Despite recent strikes on Houthi infrastructure in Yemen by the US and British forces, the Houthis continue to launch missiles and drones at vessels in the Red Sea. US Central Command reported that on Wednesday, US forces successfully destroyed a surface-to-air missile being prepared by the Houthis, posing a threat to US aircraft in the region.
The US is currently assessing its response to the drone attack in Jordan, considering potential strikes or cyberattacks against specific Iranian or Iran-backed assets. However, officials emphasize their reluctance to escalate into a military conflict with Iran, expressing a desire to avoid war while addressing the evolving challenges in the region.
US warship had close call with Houthi missile in Red Sea.
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