Yemen's Huthi rebels launch multiple missiles at US warship in Red Sea

Yemen’s Huthi rebels targeted the American destroyer USS Gravely in the Red Sea with multiple naval missiles, according to a statement released by the rebels on Wednesday. This follows the US military’s report of successfully intercepting a Huthi missile earlier.

The Huthi statement proclaimed, “The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces, with the help of God Almighty, fired several naval missiles at the American destroyer USS Gravely in the Red Sea.”

In response to the Huthi attack, the US Central Command confirmed that the USS Gravely intercepted a Huthi missile at approximately 11:30 pm on Tuesday. Describing the incident, Centcom stated, “Iranian-backed Huthi militants fired one anti-ship cruise missile from Huthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea. The missile was shot down by USS Gravely, with no injuries or damage reported.”

The Huthis, aligned with the Iranian-backed “axis of resistance,” have persistently harassed Red Sea shipping for months. The Pentagon reported that the rebels have carried out more than 30 attacks on commercial shipping and naval vessels since November 19, prompting retaliatory measures from the US and British forces.

These attacks have disrupted the vital Red Sea route, which typically handles about 12 percent of global maritime trade. In response to the heightened threats, the US and British forces launched joint strikes targeting Huthi missile sites and other military facilities. The US, acting unilaterally, has also conducted a series of strikes.

The situation has led the US to spearhead a coalition aimed at safeguarding Red Sea shipping. Simultaneously, diplomatic and financial pressure is being applied to designate the Huthis as a “terrorist” group, reflecting the gravity of the ongoing conflict and its impact on global maritime security.