The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that it successfully intercepted and destroyed an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) launched by Houthi forces over the Gulf of Aden area.
According to a statement from the command, the USS Mason, along with other forces from the US Central Command, engaged and neutralized the missile, which was launched by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
The missile was targeting the Yorktown, a US-owned vessel flying the American flag and escorted by a US warship.
The statement further assured that no injuries or damages were reported by the American or coalition ships or any commercial vessels in the vicinity.
The ballistic missile was determined to pose an imminent threat to the US, its allies, and commercial shipping in the region.
The US Central Command emphasized its commitment to taking decisive actions to protect freedom of navigation, ensuring that international waters remain safe and secure for American, allied, and commercial ships.
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, announced that a joint European Union naval mission thwarted 11 attacks by the Yemeni Houthi group in the Red Sea.
Borrell told reporters in Brussels, “In less than two months since the operation began, the mission has escorted 68 ships and thwarted 11 attacks.”
The operation received approval from the foreign ministers of the EU member states on February 19.
The naval ships involved in the mission are providing armed escorts for commercial vessels sailing in the Red Sea.
Operation Commander Admiral Vasilios Gribaris at the same press conference stated, “Our ships shot down 9 drones, one unmanned surface vessel, and 4 anti-ship ballistic missiles.”
