US military and commercial ships hit by drones in Red Sea – Pentagon

US ships were attacked in the Red Sea / Channel 24 Collage (photo by Getty Images and from open sources)

An incident occurred in the Red Sea on December 3. Thus, an American warship and several commercial vessels came under attack by drones.

The Pentagon noted that this attack could mean a potential serious escalation in a series of naval attacks in the Middle East. The US Department of Defense says this may be related to Hamas's war against Israel.

American ships attacked in the Red Sea

The US Department of Defense noted that they are already aware of the attack on the USS Carney military vessel and commercial ships in the Red Sea. They promised to provide all the necessary information when it becomes known.

Prior to this, the British military announced a possible drone attack and explosions in the Red Sea, without specifying details.

Voice of America journalists emphasized that the Pentagon did not indicate where, in its opinion, the attack began. However, they suggested that the vessels could have been fired upon by Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have already carried out a series of attacks on US ships in the Red Sea and have also launched drones and missiles at Israel, which is waging a war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Qatari television network Al Jazeera, citing maritime security sources, noted that the bulk carrier was attacked by at least two drones. Earlier, British maritime security company Ambrey said another container ship was damaged in a drone attack off the northern Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

Houthis attack ships in the Red Sea

Ultimately, Yemen's Houthis confirmed their involvement in the ship attacks. Despite this, they noted that they were Israeli vessels.

The Times of Israel noted that the Houthis issued a statement on social media claiming that they had made a “deal against two Israeli ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait,” a strategic waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Yemen's Houthis said they targeted the first vessel with a missile and the second with a drone.

Journalists from The Times of Israel emphasized that there is no confirmation yet that the attack on US and Israeli ships is somehow connected. However, the attacks could have been carried out by the same people.

Earlier, the Houthis seized a ship in the Red Sea

• Off the coast of Yemen on November 19, armed men seized the Central Park ship, which was carrying a crew of 22 people. It is assumed that the Houthis could have captured the ship.
• Earlier, Yemen's Houthis said they attacked a ship allegedly belonging to Israel. It subsequently turned out that the ship was flying the flag of the Bahamas and belonged to an Israeli citizen and another owner.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is checking information to see whether there could have been Ukrainian citizens on the ship. So far no such information has been received.