CNN –
A US Navy warship operating in the Middle East intercepted multiple projectiles near the coast of Yemen on Thursday, two US officials told CNN.
One of the officials said the rockets were fired by Iran-backed Houthi fighters involved in an ongoing conflict in Yemen. According to the second official, about two to three rockets were intercepted.
Later Thursday, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the USS Carney shot down three land-attack missiles as well as several drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.
“This action was a demonstration of the integrated air and missile defense architecture that we have built in the Middle East and that we intend to deploy at all times to protect our partners and our interests in this important region,” he said at a news conference. “There were no casualties among U.S. forces and, to our knowledge, none among civilians on site.”
Ryder said the Pentagon could not say with certainty at this point where the missiles and drones were aimed, but said they were launched from Yemen and were traveling north along the Red Sea, “possibly toward targets in Israel.”
The USS Carney sailed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea on Wednesday. The U.S. Fleet Forces Command said in a social media post that it would “help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East.”
The incident was one of a series in recent days in which US bases in Syria and Iraq have been attacked by drones as tensions rise in the region as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.
The drone strikes on the base in Syria resulted in “minor injuries,” Ryder said.
On Wednesday, two drones targeted al-Tanf Garrison in Syria, where U.S. and anti-ISIS coalition troops are stationed, Ryder said. One drone was attacked and destroyed, and another drone hit the base, causing minor injuries to coalition troops, Ryder said.
That same morning, early warning systems in Iraq suggested a possible threat was approaching al-Asad air base, where U.S. personnel are stationed. There was no attack, but personnel were sheltered in place and an American civilian contractor suffered a heart attack and died shortly afterwards, Ryder said.
On Tuesday, U.S. forces defended against three drones near U.S. and coalition troops in Iraq, Ryder said. Two of the drones targeted al-Asad airbase, causing minor injuries to coalition troops. And in northern Iraq near Bashur Air Base, U.S. forces attacked and destroyed a drone, resulting in no injuries or damage, Ryder said.
“While I will not predict a possible response to these attacks, I want to say that we will take all necessary measures to defend U.S. and coalition forces against any threat,” he said. “If a response occurs, it will occur at a time and in a manner of our choosing.”
Asked whether all of these attacks were related to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and anger in the region over U.S. support for Israel, Ryder said the U.S. was still investigating the attacks.
“Our focus will continue to be on ensuring we prevent a possible major regional conflict,” he said.