On December 3, 2023, a series of attacks targeted three commercial vessels in the southern Red Sea. The attacks were reportedly carried out by the Houthi rebels, a group based in Yemen. The U.S. military believes these attacks were enabled by Iran, although this has not been independently verified.
The attacks involved a variety of methods, including an anti-ship ballistic missile fired at the M/V UNITY EXPLORER, a UAV launched towards the USS CARNEY, and missile strikes on the UNITY EXPLORER, M/V NUMBER 9, and M/V SOPHIE II. In response to the distress calls, the USS CARNEY provided assistance and shot down three aerial drones.
The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that they were carried out in solidarity with Palestinians. This comes in the context of the U.S. facing near-daily assaults from rocket fire and attack drones in Iraq and Syria since Israeli operations in Gaza began.
The situation in the region remains tense, with the risk of further attacks. These strikes pose a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. The U.S. has warned of 'appropriate responses' to these attacks and has also conducted a strike in northern Iraq, killing multiple Iran-backed fighters.
The details of the attacks and the ships involved were provided by Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree. However, some U.S. officials have expressed frustration that retaliatory airstrikes have not deterred Iran-backed militias from attacking U.S. troops.