By Diyar Guldogan
WASHINGTON (AA) - Two anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired Saturday from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen toward international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea, according to the US military.
"Between 3 and 8 p.m. (Sanaa time), the USS LABOON (DDG 58) was patrolling in the Southern Red Sea as part of Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN (OPG) and shot down four unmanned aerial drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that were inbound to the USS LABOON," US Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote on X, and said there were no injuries or damage in the incident.
Separately, at approximately 8 p.m. (Sanaa time), US Naval Forces Central Command received reports from two ships in the southern Red Sea that they were under attack, it added.
"The M/V BLAAMANEN, a Norwegian-flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil tanker, reported a near miss of a Houthi one-way attack drone with no injuries or damage reported.
"A second vessel, the M/V SAIBABA, a Gabon-owned, Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, reported that it was hit by a one-way attack drone with no injuries reported. The USS LABOON (DDG 58) responded to the distress calls from these attacks," it said.
The attacks represent the 14th and 15th on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since Oct. 17, said CENTCOM.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their involvement in the current conflict in the Gaza Strip by targeting vessels in the southern Red Sea. The group warned about attacking all Israel-bound ships. It said the attacks are to support Palestinians as they face Israel's "aggression and siege" in Gaza.
The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.
US defense chief Lloyd Austin announced the creation of a multinational mission -- Operation Prosperity Guardian -- to counter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.