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A U.S. warship stationed in the Middle East shot down three cruise missiles and several drones fired by Iran-backed rebels in Yemen that may have been aimed at targets in Israel, the Pentagon said.
The USS Carney, a U.S. Navy destroyer in the northern Red Sea, intercepted the missiles fired by Houthi forces, who have been waging an insurgency war against the Saudi-backed regime in Yemen for several years.
Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, said the U.S. military “cannot say with certainty” where the missiles and drones went, but that they were launched from Yemen and headed north toward Israel via the Red Sea. Ryder said there were no known casualties for the U.S. or civilians there.
The wiretaps come amid growing tensions in the region between Iran and Iran-backed militants and U.S.-backed allies in Israel and the Gulf following Hamas’ attack on Israeli civilians. Hamas is backed by Iran, as is Hezbollah, the southern Lebanon-based militant group that saw a sharp increase in bombings on Thursday.
The US has sent two aircraft carrier groups to the region to deter Iran, and US officials – including President Joe Biden – have said publicly that the show of force was intended to send a warning to Tehran in case there is an escalation in hostilities should come.
The USS Carney is part of the first strike force led by the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford to arrive in the region.
Despite American efforts, Ryder said the shootdown was just the latest sign that the US was seeing a rise in attacks, including an “increase in the types of drone activity” in Iraq and Syria as fighting between Israel and Hamas increased.
Ryder said the Al Tanf base in Syria, occupied by U.S. and allied forces, was attacked by two drones early Wednesday. US forces destroyed one drone and the second drone hit the base, causing minor injuries. A day earlier, US forces in Iraq defended themselves against drone attacks.
“We will take all necessary measures to defend U.S. and coalition forces against any threat,” Ryder said. “If a response occurs, it will occur at a time and in a manner of our choosing.”
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with counterparts in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Israel to prevent further escalation.