Iranian-backed forces fired two missiles at a U.S. Navy destroyer operating off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea on Sunday, the Pentagon said in a statement. The Houthi rebels fired two shots, however, neither missile hit the ship.
The American warship was “definitely targeted,” a U.S. defense official told Fox News.
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This dramatic escalation comes a week after the U.S. Navy sent warships to the area when a United Arab Emirates flagged auxiliary ship was destroyed off the coast of Yemen by the Houthis. “We assess the missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen,” Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said. “The United States remains committed to ensuring freedom of navigation everywhere in the world, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our ships and our service members.” h/t foxnews
It was not immediately clear how close the missiles came to the destroyer.