U.S. Navy Defends Three American Merchant Ships From Houthi Attack
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\nOvernight Monday, the U.S. Navy blocked an attack on three U.S.-flagged ships off the coast of Yemen, continuing the service’s run of success in thwarting Houthi aggression against American (not foreign-flag) vessels.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed Tuesday that the terrorist group attacked three American “supply ships” after they departed Djibouti, and asserted that these civilian vessels “had previously practiced aggression against Yemen.” The group also targeted two U.S. Navy destroyers, he added, “triumphing for the oppression of the Palestinian people.” Saree claimed that the strike achieved its objectives, but did not claim any damage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
U.S. Central Command confirmed the attack on Tuesday afternoon. The Mideast regional command said that U.S. Navy destroyers USS Stockdale <\/em>and USS O\u2019Kane <\/em>successfully shot down “a range of Houthi-launched weapons” while transiting the Gulf of Aden on Monday and Tuesday. At the time, the two destroyers were escorting three American merchant ships, and none of the vessels were unharmed.\u00a0<\/p>\n