US Navy warship shoots down cruise missiles, drones 'potentially' targeting Israel

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A US Navy warship intercepted cruise missiles and drones launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels that were "potentially" targeting Israel, the Pentagon said Thursday.

The USS Carney was operating in the northern Red Sea when it intercepted three "land attack cruise missiles, and several drones" that were launched by the Houthis, Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters.

"This action was a demonstration of the integrated air and missile defense architecture that we have built in the Middle East, and that we are prepared to utilize whenever necessary to protect our partners and our interests in this important region," he said. "There were no casualties to US forces and none that we know of to any civilians on the ground."

The missiles were launched from inside Yemen, and were heading north along the Red Sea "potentially towards targets in Israel," Ryder added.