Fierce missile battle between Houthi and US military in Red Sea

On Wednesday, Houthi forces targeted several US warships with ballistic missiles in a “clash” that lasted more than two hours. Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea said the missiles directly hit a US warship and two commercial vessels. The attack forced the US military cargo ship to retreat and turn around.

Maersk also confirmed that two cargo ships, the Maersk Detroit and the Maersk Chesapeake, carrying cargo for the US Department of Defense, were forced to turn back while passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait off the coast of Yemen due to a series of explosions that occurred nearby. At this time, both ships were being escorted by the US Navy.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald fires a Harpoon missile during a previous exercise. Photo: AFP

Bab al-Mandab is the gateway to the Red Sea, between Yemen, Djibouti and Eritrea on the African coast. "While en route, both vessels reported detecting explosions nearby and with the assistance of the US Navy, several projectiles were intercepted," Maersk said. "The crew, vessel and cargo are safe and unharmed. The US Navy has turned both vessels around and is escorting them back to the Gulf of Aden."

According to US Central Command, the Houthis fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles at the ships, but they either missed or were intercepted. "One missile fell into the sea. The other two were successfully engaged and shot down by the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer," the statement said. There were no reports of injuries or damage to the ship.

Meanwhile, the Houthi forces declared: "Some of our ballistic missiles hit the target despite the warships' interception efforts."

Maersk said both vessels were carrying cargo for the US Department of Defense, the US Department of State and other government agencies, meaning they would be protected by the US Navy as they passed through the strait. Both vessels are currently suspending transits in the area until further notice.

Maersk said both vessels were part of the US government’s Maritime Security Program (MSP) and Voluntary Multimodal Transport Agreement (VISA), projects run by the Pentagon to transport troops, supplies and military equipment in times of war or emergency. That’s why they were escorted by US Navy vessels through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Graphic photo: Reuters

Since November, Houthi rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were retaliating for Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza. However, the Houthis frequently target vessels with tenuous or no apparent links to Israel, endangering shipping in a vital route for global trade.

The US and UK have carried out several airstrikes against suspected missile storage and launch sites used by the Houthis, and the Houthis have also said they will target US and UK ships.

Hoai Phuong (according to AP, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/giao-chien-ten-lua-du-doi-giua-houthi-va-quan-doi-my-tren-bien-do-post282399.html