Title: USS Carney Thwarts Drone Attacks on Commercial Ships by Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels
Date: [Current Date]
In a remarkable display of military prowess, the USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, successfully intercepted and shot down three drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. These drones were used during ballistic missile attacks on three commercial ships sailing in the Red Sea. The Navy’s swift response averted potential catastrophic consequences, ensuring the safety of the vessels and their crew.
The attacks, which occurred in international waters over a span of seven hours, have raised concerns regarding an escalating conflict in the region. Alongside these incidents, recent clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah near the Lebanon border further compound tensions, pointing to a potential expansion of the war theater.
Although the Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for two attacks on commercial ships, no mention was made of their attempt to target the Navy ship. The USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, emerged unscathed despite two of the commercial carriers sustaining damage.
The chronological sequence of the drone assaults, based on Yemeni time, unfolded as follows: At 9:15 a.m., an anti-ship ballistic missile aimed at the bulk cargo ship M/V Unity Explorer was launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. At noon, the Carney successfully neutralized an unmanned aerial vehicle en route to its location. Just 35 minutes later, Unity Explorer reported being struck by a Houthi-fired missile. Nonetheless, the Carney detected and destroyed a second incoming UAV, preventing any harm to itself. Later, at 3:30 p.m., a Houthi-fired missile hit the bulk carrier M/V Number 9, causing damage but no casualties. Finally, at 4:30 p.m., the bulk carrier M/V Sophie II issued a distress signal after being struck by a missile. Once again, the Carney swiftly intercepted and shot down a UAV that approached the carrier. Fortunately, the carrier reported no significant damage.
The USS Carney, which operates as part of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group deployed to the Middle East in October, continues to demonstrate its strategic importance in safeguarding the region’s security. Only a few days prior to this incident, on October 19, the Carney successfully intercepted and shot down three cruise missiles and multiple drones launched by the Houthi rebels. The Defense Department suspects these weapons were potentially aimed at Israel, marking the rebels’ escalating aggression.
The Houthi rebels, a Zaydi Shiite movement embroiled in a long-standing civil war with Yemen’s Sunni Muslim majority government since 2004, are believed to enjoy support from Iran. Seizing control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and expanding their dominion across the northern part of the country in 2016, the rebels have shown no hesitation in launching aerial strikes against Israel in response to the Israeli-Hamas war. Their avowed aim is to provide support to the Palestinians amidst the ongoing conflict.
As tensions continue to mount in the region, the successful interception by the USS Carney underscores the vital role played by the United States Navy in safeguarding international waters and ensuring the stability of commercial shipping routes.
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