US says Houthis fired anti-ship cruise missiles at American destroyer ship in Red Sea

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - An anti-ship cruise missile was fired Sunday from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen toward a US Navy destroyer in the Red Sea, according to the US military.

“On Jan. 14 at approximately 4:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), an anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon (DDG 58), which was operating in the Southern Red Sea,” said US Central Command or CENTCOM on X.

US fighter aircraft intercepted the missile off the coast of Hudaydah, CENTCOM added.

“There were no injuries or damage reported,” said CENTCOM.

On Saturday, the US renewed airstrikes in Sanaa, one day after attacks were carried out by Washington and London against targets in areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen.

After the attacks on Friday, which resulted in five deaths and six injuries among the Houthis, the group vowed that all American and British interests have become “legitimate targets” for its forces in response to their “direct and declared aggression” against Yemen.

The Houthis have targeted vessels in the southern Red Sea and warned they will attack all Israeli-bound ships. They said the attacks are meant 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.