Pentagon: Houthis attacked two US destroyers in the Red Sea

Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said that US forces launched precision strikes in the past two days on weapons storage facilities inside Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.

He explained during a press conference on Tuesday that these operations came in response to repeated attacks launched by the Houthis on international commercial shipping vessels, coalition ships, and American commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

Ryder added that US forces "successfully" repelled multiple Houthi attacks on Monday targeting two US destroyers as they transited the Red Sea.

He pointed out that the attack was carried out with eight drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles. The missiles were shot down without causing any damage to the two destroyers.

Ryder also denied Houthi allegations of targeting the aircraft carrier "Abraham Lincoln".

Regarding any potential changes with the new US administration, Ryder said that he "is not aware of any meetings at the Pentagon regarding potential decisions that the next administration may take."

He added that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had stressed "ensuring a smooth, orderly and professional transition to the Trump administration."

The Houthis announced earlier on Tuesday that they had carried out two military operations in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea targeting US Navy ships. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the operations lasted eight hours.

Saree stated that the first operation targeted an American aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea with a number of missiles and drones, while the second operation targeted two American destroyers in the Red Sea with missiles and drones.

The Iran-allied Houthis have been attacking global shipping lanes near Yemen since October 7, 2023, in what they say are attacks on ships they see as linked to Israel in solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's war in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis control northern Yemen.

The attacks prompted retaliatory strikes from the United States and Britain. The Houthis have previously said they targeted American destroyers and drones.

Source: Agencies