:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/TFBKODPT4FAVVBQNR7INNVJRDI.jpg "The US Army shot down a missile launched by the Houthi rebels against a warship in the Red Sea")
The US Army announced on Sunday that it successfully shot down a missile launched by the Houthi rebels at one of its warships in the Red Sea. The missile was fired at the USS Mason (DDG 87) from an area of Yemen controlled by the rebels. The army confirmed that no injuries or damage were reported as a result of the attack.
This incident marks the first attack against a US destroyer by the Houthi rebels, who have been increasingly targeting ships in the Red Sea through missile and drone attacks. The rebels claim that their actions are in solidarity with Gaza, where Hamas militants have been engaged in a conflict with Israel for more than three months.
The US and British forces had recently conducted strikes on rebel targets across Yemen, following reports of attacks against merchant ships in the Red Sea. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial trade route through which 15 percent of world maritime traffic passes, has been disrupted by the rebel attacks.
In response to the growing security threats in the area, the US announced a maritime security initiative, Operation Prosperity Guardian, aimed at protecting maritime traffic in the Red Sea. However, the Houthi rebels have continued their attacks despite warnings from the US.
The situation remains tense, with fears rising that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could engulf the region. More than 40 countries have condemned the Houthi rebels for their attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. The US and its allies have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the maritime traffic in the area.