US Shoots Down 2 Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles In Red Sea, Thwarts Another Houthi Attack

The US successfully thwarted the 23rd Houthi attack on international shipping after it shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles that were fired by the Houthi group in the Red Sea.

Image of the ship shared by CENTCOM ( Image Source :X/@CENTCOM )

The United States on Saturday shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen that were headed towards a container ship in the southern Red Sea. US Central Command (CENTCOM) in a post on X (Formerly known as Twitter) said that a  Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned/operated container ship reported that it was struck by a missile and requested assistance. The USS Gravely and USS Laboon responded to the ship's call and the US Navy destroyer Gravely shot down both anti-ship ballistic missiles.

The CENTCOM added that the vessel was reportedly seaworthy and there were no reported injuries.

USS GRAVELY shoots down two anti-ship ballistic missiles while responding to Houthi attack on merchant vessel.

Today at approximately 8:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported that they were struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea. The… pic.twitter.com/nUgifhkdC8

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2023

This was the 23rd attack by the Houthis on international shipping since November 19, the CENTCOM said. The militant group has frequently targetted vessels in the Red Sea's shipping lane while citing support for Palestinians in Gaza.

Earlier on Thursday, the US intercepted a drone and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, reported news agency AFP. CENTCOM confirmed that the USS Mason (DDG 87), a guided-missile destroyer, successfully shot down both the drone and the anti-ship ballistic missile.

The US Central Command stated that none of the 18 ships in the vicinity suffered any damage, and there were no reported injuries. 

As per an AFP report, these attacks pose a threat to a transit route through which up to 12 per cent of global trade is transported. In response to these attacks, the US had established a multinational naval task force earlier in the month to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea.