The U.S. Navy shot down a ballistic missile fired at a US-owned oil tanker in the Red Sea from a Houthi-controlled area in Yemen Saturday.
The USS Mason shot down one anti-ship ballistic missile launched into the Gulf of Aden around 5 p.m. local time, according to US Central Command.
“The missile was likely targeting MV Torm Thor, a U.S.-Flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil tanker,” CENTCOM said.
Neither the guided missile destroyer nor the tanker were damaged and no injuries reported.
Attacks have been prevalent in the Red Sea since Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, began attacking ships bearing flags of Israeli allies, ostensibly in support of Hamas.
Friday, CENTCOM said US forces destroyed seven anti-ship cruise missiles that were “prepared to launch towards the Red Sea.”
The missiles were detected in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and “presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the US Navy ships in the region,” CENTCOM said. “These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels.”
On Thursday, a Houthi missile set a British cargo ship ablaze.
One person was injured after the Palau-flagged MV Islander was struck Thursday. The cargo ship was reportedly bound to dock in Egypt and reportedly bore a banner that read: “SYRIAN CREW ON BOARD” to try to protect crews.
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