31-12-2023 (WASHINGTON) In a swift response to a distress call from the container ship Maersk Hangzhou, the US military reported that an American destroyer successfully intercepted and downed two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Yemen on Saturday, December 30. The missiles, launched by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, marked the 23rd illegal attack on international shipping by the group since November 19, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The USS Gravely and USS Laboon, both destroyers, promptly intervened following a request for assistance from the Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned container ship. The vessel had reported being struck by a missile while traversing the Red Sea. During the response, the Gravely intercepted and neutralized the incoming missiles, which were targeted “toward the ships,” as stated by CENTCOM.
The Houthi rebels have consistently targeted vessels in the strategic Red Sea shipping lane, citing support for Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. These attacks pose a significant threat to a transit route responsible for up to 12 percent of global trade. In response to this escalating danger, the United States established a multinational naval task force earlier this month dedicated to safeguarding Red Sea shipping.
The current phase of the Israel-Hamas conflict ignited when the Palestinian militant group initiated a cross-border attack from Gaza on October 7. This act resulted in approximately 1,140 casualties, mostly civilians, based on an AFP tally derived from Israeli figures. Subsequently, the United States swiftly provided military aid to Israel, which launched a relentless campaign in Gaza, resulting in a reported 21,672 deaths, predominantly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
