US fighter jet shoots down Houthi missile in Red Sea trouble spot

In a recent incident, a US Navy destroyer intercepted a cruise missile in the Red Sea launched from a Houthi militant area in Yemen. The missile was successfully shot down by a US fighter aircraft, and no injuries or damage were reported

The  USS  Carney,  an  Arleigh  Burke-class  destroyer,  was  conducting  operations  in  the  northern  Red  Sea  when  it  encountered  three  land  attack  cruise  missiles  and  several  drones  launched  by  the  Houthi  rebels. 

“On Jan. 14 at approximately 4:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), an anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon (DDG 58), which was operating in the Southern Red Sea,” the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said on social media platform X.

U.S. fighter aircraft intercepted the missile off the coast of Hudaydah, CENTCOM added.

“There were no injuries or damage reported,” said CENTCOM.

On Saturday, the U.S. renewed airstrikes in Sanaa, one day after Washington and London carried out attacks against targets in areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen.

After the attacks on Friday, which resulted in five deaths and six injuries among the Houthis, the group vowed that all U.S. and U.K. interests have become “legitimate targets” for its forces in response to their “direct and declared aggression” against Yemen.

The Houthis have targeted vessels in the southern Red Sea and warned they will attack all Israeli-bound ships. They said the attacks are meant to support Palestinians as they face Israel’s “aggression and siege” in Gaza.

The Red Sea is one of the world’s most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

Source: AA