In a significant development, AP News has reported that a US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and two commercial vessels were targeted in the Red Sea. This incident is part of a growing trend of maritime attacks in the waters of the Middle East, which have been linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“We’re aware of reports regarding attacks on the USS Carney and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and will provide information as it becomes available,” the Pentagon said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US official told AP that the attack was around Sanaa, Yemen, and said Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, repelled at least one drone during the attack.
Despite no confirmation from the Pentagon on who exactly were the attackers, one might suspect Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthi rebels, who have frequently attacked ships in the Red Sea, could be responsible. The terror group has also launched drones and missiles at Israel.
Houthis claim to have an official military, with uniforms to match, but it is not recognized by the UN as the official government. Although speculative, this may possibly have contributed to why nobody put up a fight onboard the #GALAXYLEADER ahead of the helicopter’s arrival. https://t.co/KxQFQJGoyo
— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) December 3, 2023
Let’s remember the Red Sea is one of the world’s most heavily traveled commercial shipping lanes.
Meanwhile, “Gulf of Tonkin” is trending on X in the US.
The latest data from intelligence firm Stratfor shows two US aircraft carriers are in the region:
- CVN 69: The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is underway in the Persian Gulf.
- CVN 78: The USS Gerald R. Ford is underway in the Mediterranean Sea.
With an amphibious group in the Red Sea
- LHD 5: The USS Bataan is underway.
This comes weeks after the “Galaxy Leader,” a vehicle carrier vessel, was hijacked in the Red Sea.
“Galaxy Leader” captured by Houthis as seen on a satellite image off the coast of Yemen: pic.twitter.com/DQtICDoOdP
— Bashkarma? (@Karmabash) November 29, 2023
