On December 3, 2023, multiple commercial ships and a U.S. warship came under attack in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels from Yemen [IB Times]. The Houthi rebels launched missile and drone attacks against the ships, causing damage to at least two vessels [France 24]. The attacked commercial ships included a British-owned vessel, Unity Explorer, and a Norwegian vessel, Number 9 [Standard].
In response to the attack, the U.S. warship, USS Carney, fired missiles and shot down three drones [Newsnationnow]. The Pentagon confirmed the attack and stated that the USS Carney was acting in self-defense [Boston]. The attacks on the commercial ships were claimed by the Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Hamas [Sky News Australia]. However, it was not clear at the time if the U.S. warship was intentionally targeted [Hindustan Times].
The attack on the ships occurred amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza [ABC7 Chicago]. The Houthi rebels have previously launched missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and other neighboring countries [New York Daily News]. The Red Sea region has been a hotspot for tensions, with various actors involved in the conflict, including the Houthi rebels, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States [Chicago Tribune].
The significance of this attack is that it demonstrates the Houthi rebels' ability to strike targets beyond their immediate region and poses a threat to international shipping lanes in the Red Sea [Reuters]. The attack raises concerns about the security of maritime trade routes and the potential for escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East [Deseret].
The U.S. and its allies are closely monitoring the situation in the region and assessing the appropriate response [ABC News]. The attack highlights the need for increased security measures and international coordination to protect shipping vessels from potential threats in the Red Sea [MarketWatch].
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