US warship fires in self-defense after commercial ships attacked in Red Sea

A United States naval ship fired in self-defense Sunday as two commercial vessels were attacked in the Red Sea in an attack claimed by Yemen‘s Houthi rebel group.

The Houthi rebel group took credit for the attack, which could mark an escalation of the Israel-Hamas war, against the vessels, according to the Associated Press.

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“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, later,” the Pentagon said in a statement sent to the Washington Examiner.

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan U. Kledzik /AP

The attacks on the commercial ships are believed to have happened for as much as five hours, and The Pentagon did not confirm where the attacks on the USS Carney originated. A U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer wasn’t damaged and no injuries were reported on board, according to the AP.

A U.S. official speaking on the condition of anonymity said the attack began at around 10 a.m. in Sanaa, Yemen.

A statement from the Houthis did not mention any attacks on U.S. ships, only the Unity Explorer and the Number Nine, both of which the group claims are associated with Israel.

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“The Yemeni armed forces continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red and Arab Seas until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip stops,” the Houthis said, the AP reported.

The Houthis have been engaging in a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, as well as launching drones and missiles targeted at Israel during the ongoing war.