U.S. Destroyer Shot Down Missiles, Drones Near Yemen

Forbes Business Breaking U. S. Destroyer Shot Down Missiles, Drones Near Yemen Molly Bohannon Forbes Staff I cover breaking news.

Following Oct 19, 2023, 05:15pm EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline A U. S. Navy ship near Yemen shot down three land attack cruise missiles and several drones on Thursday—though it’s unclear what the missiles were targeting, according to the Department of Defense.

This image provided by the U. S. Navy shows the USS Carney in the Mediterranean Sea on Oct.

23, 2018. . .

. [+] The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, took out three missiles that had been fired from Yemen and were heading north, U.

S. officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations not yet announced.

(Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Ryan U. Kledzik/U.

S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa via AP) Public Domain Key Facts Press Secretary Brig. Gen.

Pat Ryder said at a press conference Thursday there were no casualties from the incident and information is still being processed, so they cannot say for certain what the drones and missiles were targeting—though they were launched from Yemen heading north, potentially toward Israel. Ryder said the missiles and drones were fired by Houthi militants in Yemen, a group backed by Iran. The ship was in the Red Sea area to “help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East,” according to a U.

S. Fleet Forces command post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Forbes has reached out to the Department of Defense for more information.

Key Background The missile interception occurred as concerns continue to rise that the war between Israel and Hamas could expand. Iran had previously warned it “cannot remain a spectator” in the war if attacks on Palestinian territories continue, and the missile interception came just days after a massive explosion at a hospital in Gaza killed hundreds. Palestinian authorities blamed Israel for the airstrike that caused the explosion, though Israel has denied involvement.

The U. S. has also said its intelligence suggests Israel was not involved.

The U. S. has continued to grow its armed forces presence in the Middle East, sending two strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean near Israel and reportedly preparing to deploy troops to support Israel if needed.

Tangent Though it’s unclear whether the missiles were specifically targeting the USS Carney, the interception does follow drone strikes on U. S. bases in Iraq and Syria.

Two officials told the Associated Press that a military base in Syria used to train U. S. troops in efforts against the Islamic State group was hit by drones Thursday.

One caused minor injuries, the AP reported, and another drone was shot down. Further Reading MORE FROM FORBES Iran Warns It May Not ‘Remain A Spectator’ In Israel-Hamas Conflict-As U. S.

Urges Iran Not To Intervene By Molly Bohannon POLITICO Navy destroyer intercepts missiles fired from Yemen ABC News Security incident involving US Navy destroyer in Red Sea, US official says Follow me on Twitter . Send me a secure tip . Molly Bohannon Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.