Two U.S. Navy destroyers escorting three U.S.-flagged commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden shot down Houthi missiles and drones targeting them, the U.S. military said.
There was no damage to the vessels involved, the US Central Command or CENTCOM said in a statement. There were no injuries, according to the statement.
The destroyers, USS Stockade and USS O’Kane, fired a “barrage” of Houthi-fired weapons as they sailed through the Gulf on Saturday and Sunday, CENTCOM said.
“These actions reflect the ongoing commitment of CENTCOM forces to protect US personnel, regional partners and international shipping against attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis,” the command said in a statement.
The Houthis launched a campaign against shipping in response IsraelThe war in Gaza started after Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7. Houthi leaders have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel ends its campaign in Gaza and withdraws from the territory.
The US — along with the UK — launched it for the first time Airstrikes against Houthi targets Yemen in January 2024, following drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. those the strikes continued officials said in November.
The Houthis fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles, three attack drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the weekend, all of which were defeated, the Navy said.
CENTCOM’s press release dated December 1 did not identify the civilian vessels that were targeted.
ABC News’ David Brennan and Matt Seyler contributed to this report.
