U.S. Warships Attacked by Houthi Terrorists in Escalating Conflict

The Houthi terrorist group launched a bold yet ultimately unsuccessful attack on U.S. warships transiting the Bab el Mandeb strait this week. The Pentagon confirmed that on Tuesday, Iran-backed Houthi militants targeted U.S. Navy vessels, including the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Stockdale and USS Spruance. The Houthis fired a combination of attack drones and anti-ship missiles at the ships, all of which were intercepted and neutralized without incident.

Air Force Major General Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, told reporters, “The USS Stockdale and USS Spruance were attacked by at least eight one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles, which were successfully engaged and defeated.” Thanks to rapid defensive measures, there were no injuries or damage to the vessels, underscoring the Navy's preparedness in these high-risk waters.

The failed attack comes on the heels of U.S. precision airstrikes against Houthi-controlled facilities in Yemen over the weekend, where the Iranian-backed group is reportedly storing advanced weapons intended to disrupt international navigation through critical maritime passages. These U.S. strikes, carried out with Navy F-35C fighter jets, targeted weapon caches and infrastructure linked to recent aggression in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

In a statement devoid of evidence, the Houthis claimed that their attacks hit the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and the two destroyers. However, the Pentagon has confirmed that all U.S. ships and personnel remain unharmed, dismissing the Houthis’ claims as baseless propaganda.

The Houthis' campaign in the region has heightened concerns about security in international waters. Supported and armed by Iran, the group poses a significant risk to both military and civilian vessels, leveraging drones and advanced missiles to escalate their threats. The U.S., however, has made clear it will not tolerate such attempts to disrupt the safety of key maritime routes.

As U.S. forces continue to monitor and engage with threats in the region, the international community must recognize the escalating risks posed by Iran’s proxy fighters. These ongoing provocations underscore the need for vigilant defense and robust U.S. naval presence to maintain order in these strategic waterways.

For more updates on national security issues, subscribe to our newsletter.