TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from United States: CNN, CNN International.
UK coverage: BBC.

A US Navy warship operating in the Middle East intercepted multiple projectiles near the coast of Yemen on Thursday, according to two US officials. The missiles, which were fired by Iranian-backed Houthi militants, were potentially headed towards Israel. The US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer, USS Winston S. Churchill, detected and tracked the missiles as they were launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. The warship then used its advanced defense systems to intercept and destroy the incoming missiles.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the potential threat posed by missile attacks from Yemen. The US has previously accused Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen of launching similar attacks. Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the USS Carney shot down three land attack missiles as well as several drones that were launched by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.

“This action was a demonstration of the integrated air and missile defense architecture that we built in the Middle East and that we are prepared to utilize whenever necessary to protect our partners and our interest in this important region,” he said at a news briefing. “There were no casualties to US forces and none that we know of to any civilians on the ground.”

Ryder said the Pentagon cannot say for certain at this point what the missiles and drones were targeting, but said they were launched from Yemen and were heading north along the Red Sea, “potentially toward targets in Israel.” The US has been providing support to Saudi Arabia in its efforts to counter the Houthi rebels, including intelligence sharing, logistical assistance, and the deployment of military assets to deter and intercept missile attacks.

The interception of these missiles is seen as a significant achievement in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. It sends a strong message to the Houthis and their backers that their aggressive actions will not go unanswered. The US remains committed to ensuring the security and stability of its allies in the region and will continue to take necessary measures to protect against any threats posed by the Houthi rebels.