Mirror
"US military base in Syria under missile and drone attack with fears of casualties"
Story by Sean McPolin
22 APRIL 2024
At least five rockets have been launched from Iraq towards a US Base in Syria, with explosions heard in the area and fears of casualties.
Sources in the area have described how explosions were heard in the vicinity of the American military base in Al-Omar field, which is east of Deir Ezzor.
It comes after tension last week between Iran and Israel which saw the former send a "retaliation" attack of drones and missiles late at night.
Sama TV journalist Mohammed Dabaa took to X, formerly Twitter, to say: "Local sources confirm that there were direct casualties in the vehicle hangars within the American occupation base in Kharab al-Jir, after they were targeted by 5 projectiles, including missiles and a drone, amid an American security alert in the base and its surroundings."
It's also believed a second missile attack has occurred in Deir Ez-Sor, with the Syrian Democratic Forces, near the Al-Omar oil field in Khadra, East Deir Ez-Zor, being the main target.
Footage has been circulated on Telegram of the attack targeting the Kharab al-Jir base in the Hasakah countryside from the Iraqi territory.
It is the first attack against US forces since February when troops were being attacked by Iranian-backed groups in Iraq.
It comes on the day Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani returned from the United States where he met President Joe Biden at the White House, the Sun reports.
Security sources evaluating the situation have detailed how a rocket launched was found on the back of a small truck and parked up in Zummar, a town which borders Syria.
The military official said the truck caught fire with an explosion from unfired rockets at the same time missiles and drones were sent into the sky.
Following this an Iraqi Security Media Cell confirmed a car where "several missiles were launched from" had been found.
An attack comes days after a military base in Iraq, which was holding a pro-Iranian militia, was damaged in an explosion and killed one person and wounded eight others.
Iraq's military reported no drones or fighter jets in the area before or during the blast.
However, the militia organization involved, the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), was blamed for the attack which came after heightened tensions between Israel and Iran.
The PMF is an umbrella organization that contains several militias which are part of the network of proxies that Tehran has been able to use to advance its interests across the Middle East for years.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us ... 7382&ei=39
THE MIDDLE EAST
Re: THE MIDDLE EAST
Al Jazeera
"Yemen’s Houthis launch attacks on US, Israeli vessels as warships defend"
25 APRIL 2024
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi armed group says it attacked US and Israeli vessels, with a Western coalition of warships defending amid the continuing fallout from the war on Gaza.
Yahya Saree, the group’s military spokesman, said in a video address late on Wednesday that the Houthis hit the Maersk Yorktown cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden.
The US military confirmed that the Houthis launched an antiship ballistic missile from their territory towards the vessel, which it identified as a “US-flagged, owned, and operated vessel with 18 US and four Greek crew members”.
“There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships,” the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.
The Greek Ministry of National Defence said on Thursday that one of the country’s military ships serving in the European Union’s naval mission to counter the Houthis in the Red Sea intercepted two drones launched towards a commercial ship from Yemen.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had earlier confirmed an incident some 72 nautical miles (133km) southeast of the port of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden.
Saree said the group targeted the Israeli ship MSC Veracruz in the Indian Ocean and launched projectiles at a US warship.
The US military said within two hours of the attack on the Maersk Yorktown, its forces “successfully engaged and destroyed” four drones over Yemen.
“These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US, coalition, and merchant vessels,” it said.
The Houthis, who support the Palestinian armed group Hamas, have been launching attacks on vessels in waters near their shores since November in a stated claim to stop Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
The group gradually expanded its attacks from Israeli-linked ships to US and UK-owned commercial vessels and warships as Washington mobilised a maritime coalition to defend against the attacks, and along with the British military targeted Yemeni soil with numerous air raids.
According to the US Maritime Administration, in addition to seizing a commercial vessel in November and sinking a UK-owned ship in March, the Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping since November.
The Houthi strikes have reduced in frequency in recent months as the group appears to have exhausted its stockpiles of missiles and drones after dozens of attacks while suffering from US and UK air raids.
The previous attacks claimed by the group came on April 10, when it said it hit three US and Israeli-linked ships, along with a US warship.
The Houthi attacks have forced many vessels to opt against passing through the Red Sea to use the Suez Canal, instead going around Southern Africa, which makes their journeys weeks longer and more expensive.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ye ... 0009&ei=20
"Yemen’s Houthis launch attacks on US, Israeli vessels as warships defend"
25 APRIL 2024
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi armed group says it attacked US and Israeli vessels, with a Western coalition of warships defending amid the continuing fallout from the war on Gaza.
Yahya Saree, the group’s military spokesman, said in a video address late on Wednesday that the Houthis hit the Maersk Yorktown cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden.
The US military confirmed that the Houthis launched an antiship ballistic missile from their territory towards the vessel, which it identified as a “US-flagged, owned, and operated vessel with 18 US and four Greek crew members”.
“There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition, or commercial ships,” the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.
The Greek Ministry of National Defence said on Thursday that one of the country’s military ships serving in the European Union’s naval mission to counter the Houthis in the Red Sea intercepted two drones launched towards a commercial ship from Yemen.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had earlier confirmed an incident some 72 nautical miles (133km) southeast of the port of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden.
Saree said the group targeted the Israeli ship MSC Veracruz in the Indian Ocean and launched projectiles at a US warship.
The US military said within two hours of the attack on the Maersk Yorktown, its forces “successfully engaged and destroyed” four drones over Yemen.
“These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US, coalition, and merchant vessels,” it said.
The Houthis, who support the Palestinian armed group Hamas, have been launching attacks on vessels in waters near their shores since November in a stated claim to stop Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
The group gradually expanded its attacks from Israeli-linked ships to US and UK-owned commercial vessels and warships as Washington mobilised a maritime coalition to defend against the attacks, and along with the British military targeted Yemeni soil with numerous air raids.
According to the US Maritime Administration, in addition to seizing a commercial vessel in November and sinking a UK-owned ship in March, the Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping since November.
The Houthi strikes have reduced in frequency in recent months as the group appears to have exhausted its stockpiles of missiles and drones after dozens of attacks while suffering from US and UK air raids.
The previous attacks claimed by the group came on April 10, when it said it hit three US and Israeli-linked ships, along with a US warship.
The Houthi attacks have forced many vessels to opt against passing through the Red Sea to use the Suez Canal, instead going around Southern Africa, which makes their journeys weeks longer and more expensive.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ye ... 0009&ei=20
Re: THE MIDDLE EAST
The Jerusalem Post
"Fires rage in northern Israel after Hezbollah barrage from Lebanon"
Story by ELI ASHKENAZI
11 MAY 2024
Following several heavy barrages from Lebanon on Friday afternoon, fires erupted in Northern Israel, according to Israeli media.
The heavy rocket barrages caused the fire, which is still raging at this hour, with the arrival of Shabbat.
Firefighters have not yet brought the blaze under control.
The fire broke out mainly in the wooded area and in the dry vegetation on a high ridge.
Due to the heat and dryness that prevailed today, the fire ignited quickly and spread.
Extinguishing the fire during these hours is particularly difficult due to the mountainous terrain's darkness and route.
The abundant vegetation that grows during the rainy winter adds to the high risk of fires following the fall of rockets or interceptor parts.
A week ago, Walla reported on the concern raised by the standby unit in Kibbutz Yaraon about the expected fires and the difficulty of dealing with them because the firefighters do not have permission to reach the fence's settlements.
The Kiryat Shmona municipality spokeswoman updated this evening that five alarms were activated in the city before Shabbat after dozens of rockets were fired at the city.
"At this stage, we know of several hits in the city."
"Much damage was caused to property and infrastructure, as well as vehicles."
"No injuries have been reported."
"The instructions for the residents of Kiryat Shmona who remained in the city are to stay in shelters and protected areas until further notice."
IDF targets Hezbollah in southern Lebanon
In response to the damage, the IDF struck Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon.
Fighter jets destroyed five military buildings alongside another military position used by Hezbollah, from which launches were made to the north of the country.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/fi ... b9e2&ei=35
"Fires rage in northern Israel after Hezbollah barrage from Lebanon"
Story by ELI ASHKENAZI
11 MAY 2024
Following several heavy barrages from Lebanon on Friday afternoon, fires erupted in Northern Israel, according to Israeli media.
The heavy rocket barrages caused the fire, which is still raging at this hour, with the arrival of Shabbat.
Firefighters have not yet brought the blaze under control.
The fire broke out mainly in the wooded area and in the dry vegetation on a high ridge.
Due to the heat and dryness that prevailed today, the fire ignited quickly and spread.
Extinguishing the fire during these hours is particularly difficult due to the mountainous terrain's darkness and route.
The abundant vegetation that grows during the rainy winter adds to the high risk of fires following the fall of rockets or interceptor parts.
A week ago, Walla reported on the concern raised by the standby unit in Kibbutz Yaraon about the expected fires and the difficulty of dealing with them because the firefighters do not have permission to reach the fence's settlements.
The Kiryat Shmona municipality spokeswoman updated this evening that five alarms were activated in the city before Shabbat after dozens of rockets were fired at the city.
"At this stage, we know of several hits in the city."
"Much damage was caused to property and infrastructure, as well as vehicles."
"No injuries have been reported."
"The instructions for the residents of Kiryat Shmona who remained in the city are to stay in shelters and protected areas until further notice."
IDF targets Hezbollah in southern Lebanon
In response to the damage, the IDF struck Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon.
Fighter jets destroyed five military buildings alongside another military position used by Hezbollah, from which launches were made to the north of the country.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/fi ... b9e2&ei=35
Re: THE MIDDLE EAST
The Associated Press
"Yemen's Houthi rebels acknowledge attacking a US destroyer that shot down missile in the Red Sea"
Story by JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press
15 MAY 2024
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels on Wednesday claimed targeting a U.S. Navy destroyer and a commercial ship in the Red Sea.
However, the attack on the warship apparently happened nearly two days earlier and saw the vessel intercept the missile targeting it.
The latest statement from the Houthis comes as their attacks on shipping, which have disrupted trade through a vital corridor leading onto the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, have slowed in recent weeks.
Though the rebels have not acknowledged the slowdown, the U.S. military has suggested its airstrikes and interceptions of Houthi fire have disrupted their assaults and chewed into their weapon stockpiles.
Recently, the Houthis have been claiming days-old attacks.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the rebels targeted the USS Mason with missiles and launched an attack on a ship he identified as the Destiny.
Multiple vessels have that name in shipping registries.
The Mason, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has been in the Red Sea and the wider region as part of a U.S.-led coalition trying to prevent Houthi attacks on shipping.
On Monday night, the Mason “successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile launched by (the) Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen over the Red Sea,” the U.S. military's Central Command said.
The U.S. Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the claimed attack on the Destiny.
The Houthis say their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are aimed at pressuring Israel to end its war against Hamas in Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians there, according to local health officials.
The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.
The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.
Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ye ... 5ba9&ei=29
"Yemen's Houthi rebels acknowledge attacking a US destroyer that shot down missile in the Red Sea"
Story by JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press
15 MAY 2024
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels on Wednesday claimed targeting a U.S. Navy destroyer and a commercial ship in the Red Sea.
However, the attack on the warship apparently happened nearly two days earlier and saw the vessel intercept the missile targeting it.
The latest statement from the Houthis comes as their attacks on shipping, which have disrupted trade through a vital corridor leading onto the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, have slowed in recent weeks.
Though the rebels have not acknowledged the slowdown, the U.S. military has suggested its airstrikes and interceptions of Houthi fire have disrupted their assaults and chewed into their weapon stockpiles.
Recently, the Houthis have been claiming days-old attacks.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the rebels targeted the USS Mason with missiles and launched an attack on a ship he identified as the Destiny.
Multiple vessels have that name in shipping registries.
The Mason, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, has been in the Red Sea and the wider region as part of a U.S.-led coalition trying to prevent Houthi attacks on shipping.
On Monday night, the Mason “successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile launched by (the) Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen over the Red Sea,” the U.S. military's Central Command said.
The U.S. Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the claimed attack on the Destiny.
The Houthis say their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are aimed at pressuring Israel to end its war against Hamas in Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians there, according to local health officials.
The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.
The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.
Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ye ... 5ba9&ei=29
Re: THE MIDDLE EAST
TrendyDigests
"US Navy's Confrontations with Houthi Attacks in Red Sea and Mediterranean: An Alarming Escalation"
Story by Emma Taylor
17 MAY 2024
Carlos Del Toro, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, confirmed an unprecedented number of approximately 300 attacks on American battleships in the Red Sea, acknowledging the high level of threat the US Navy is currently facing in this strategic maritime area.
This situation may lead to an official American admission that the USS Mason, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was hit, as previously confirmed by the U.S. Central Command.
The USS Mason has been an integral part of the U.S.-led coalition forces, with the primary objective of safeguarding maritime routes from threats posed by the Houthi militia.
However, the extent of the damage or any casualties from the recent missile strike on the Mason by Houthi forces remains undisclosed.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a military spokesman for the Houthi rebels, stated that their naval units targeted the USS Mason with missiles and also launched an attack on a commercial vessel known as the “Destiny” while it navigated the Red Sea.
Although multiple vessels bear the name Destiny, the precise impact of this attack is yet to be clarified.
The Mason reportedly “successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile launched by (the) Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen over the Red Sea,” according to the U.S. military’s Central Command.
It is notable that the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, based in the Middle East, has not commented on the claimed attack on the Destiny.
This surge in maritime incidents coincides with Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi’s announcement of entering the fourth stage of escalation, which targets the ports on the Mediterranean.
Such actions have escalated tensions and underscored the potential risks to international trade, particularly through crucial corridors like the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Houthi assertion of these attacks seems to be a strategic ploy aimed at exerting pressure on international actors and influencing geopolitical outcomes in the region.
As the US and European Union intensify efforts to counter Houthi aggressions, these repeated maritime confrontations highlight the ongoing instability in key waterways.
The disruptions pose significant concerns for regional security and the flow of global trade.
The Houthis have not only targeted US naval assets but have also claimed responsibility for over 50 attacks on shipping, seizing one vessel and sinking another since November, as reported by the U.S. Maritime Administration.
While the Houthi rebels link their maritime offensives to the broader conflict dynamics, particularly in pressuring Israel to end its war against Hamas in Gaza, the international community, spearheaded by the United Nations and other organizations, continues to advocate for diplomatic efforts and a comprehensive approach to the crisis.
The establishment of a cease-fire remains a critical objective to mitigate the threats to maritime navigation and to uphold regional stability.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us ... bdc3&ei=30
"US Navy's Confrontations with Houthi Attacks in Red Sea and Mediterranean: An Alarming Escalation"
Story by Emma Taylor
17 MAY 2024
Carlos Del Toro, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, confirmed an unprecedented number of approximately 300 attacks on American battleships in the Red Sea, acknowledging the high level of threat the US Navy is currently facing in this strategic maritime area.
This situation may lead to an official American admission that the USS Mason, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was hit, as previously confirmed by the U.S. Central Command.
The USS Mason has been an integral part of the U.S.-led coalition forces, with the primary objective of safeguarding maritime routes from threats posed by the Houthi militia.
However, the extent of the damage or any casualties from the recent missile strike on the Mason by Houthi forces remains undisclosed.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a military spokesman for the Houthi rebels, stated that their naval units targeted the USS Mason with missiles and also launched an attack on a commercial vessel known as the “Destiny” while it navigated the Red Sea.
Although multiple vessels bear the name Destiny, the precise impact of this attack is yet to be clarified.
The Mason reportedly “successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile launched by (the) Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen over the Red Sea,” according to the U.S. military’s Central Command.
It is notable that the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, based in the Middle East, has not commented on the claimed attack on the Destiny.
This surge in maritime incidents coincides with Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi’s announcement of entering the fourth stage of escalation, which targets the ports on the Mediterranean.
Such actions have escalated tensions and underscored the potential risks to international trade, particularly through crucial corridors like the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Houthi assertion of these attacks seems to be a strategic ploy aimed at exerting pressure on international actors and influencing geopolitical outcomes in the region.
As the US and European Union intensify efforts to counter Houthi aggressions, these repeated maritime confrontations highlight the ongoing instability in key waterways.
The disruptions pose significant concerns for regional security and the flow of global trade.
The Houthis have not only targeted US naval assets but have also claimed responsibility for over 50 attacks on shipping, seizing one vessel and sinking another since November, as reported by the U.S. Maritime Administration.
While the Houthi rebels link their maritime offensives to the broader conflict dynamics, particularly in pressuring Israel to end its war against Hamas in Gaza, the international community, spearheaded by the United Nations and other organizations, continues to advocate for diplomatic efforts and a comprehensive approach to the crisis.
The establishment of a cease-fire remains a critical objective to mitigate the threats to maritime navigation and to uphold regional stability.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us ... bdc3&ei=30
Re: THE MIDDLE EAST
Business Insider
"US Navy warships in the Red Sea are fighting off missiles new to combat that are 'way faster' than anything else, destroyer captain says"
Story by jepstein@businessinsider.com (Jake Epstein)
21 MAY 2024
* US Navy warships in the Middle East have been facing off against anti-ship ballistic missiles.
* The Houthis introduced these missiles into combat for the first time in late 2023.
* The captain of an American destroyer said they are "way faster" than anything else.
US Navy warships operating in the Red Sea have been intercepting deadly ballistic missiles that are "way faster" than anything else, according to the commanding officer of an American destroyer that has shot them down.
Anti-ship ballistic missiles are a dangerous weapon that no military had ever faced in combat until recently when the Houthis started firing them into key Middle Eastern waterways late last year as part of their ongoing attacks on international shipping lanes.
Since then, the Iran-backed rebels have fired dozens of anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
US warships in the region have intercepted these missiles on numerous occasions, though some of the weapons have struck commercial vessels.
Civilians were killed during an attack in March.
An anti-ship ballistic missile "is just way faster than anything else," Cmdr. Jeremy Robertson, captain of the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney, told reporters during a media event on Monday.
He said that while the missiles are a challenge, "we have certain capabilities to be able to detect stuff like that."
The Carney was the first US warship in the region to intercept Houthi threats in the fight that began in October 2023.
The destroyer was involved in dozens of engagements during its monthslong deployment — destroying anti-ship ballistic missiles, land-attack cruise missiles, and drones — and it also carried out multiple strikes against the rebels inside Yemen.
The Houthis maintain a sizable arsenal of anti-ship ballistic missiles, according to an analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank.
Some of the missiles are Iranian in origin, while others just contain parts from Tehran.
US Central Command has not identified specific missiles that have been used in any of the Houthi attacks, but ballistic missiles, generally, fly at faster speeds than cruise missiles.
The anti-ship ballistic missile "threat is very challenging — it's very dynamic, and it's very fast," Robertson said.
"These are certainly very dangerous areas, and every interaction is completely different from one another."
Robertson said that his sailors work very quickly to engage these missiles because they must.
From start to finish, the complex process of detecting a threat, making sure it's real, sorting the trajectory, and engaging, may last "anywhere from nine to 20 seconds," he said.
The Carney was ready for the threat though.
"Our systems are doing exactly what we've designed them to do," Robertson said.
"We have training pipelines that build on this threat as well, and so we certainly do a lot of training to make sure the team is ready to handle that threat."
During a visit to the Red Sea earlier this year, Business Insider spoke with Navy officers aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, an aircraft carrier, and USS Gravely, a destroyer, about the Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile threat.
They similarly praised the combat systems on their warships for working as intended and said their sailors are properly learning and training to defeat the threats.
Anti-ship ballistic missiles emerged as a growing concern for the US military long before the conflict with the Houthi conflict began, as Washington looks across the Pacific at China and its growing arsenal of formidable, long-range missiles.
A potential clash between the US and China would unfold across the maritime domain, making anti-ship capabilities a crucial factor.
Experts, including former Navy officers, previously told BI that the Houthi anti-ship missile capabilities don't quite stack up against what China has in its arsenal.
Still, the ongoing engagements in the Middle East are providing the Navy with valuable, first-ever combat experience — and information — to deal with these dangerous missiles.
The Carney has also taken on other missile threats beyond those launched by the Houthis during its lengthy deployment.
Last month, after the destroyer moved out of the Middle East and into the eastern Mediterranean Sea, it used its SM-3 interceptors for the first time to shoot down an Iranian medium-range ballistic missile amid Tehran's unprecedented aerial attack against Israel.
The Carney finally returned home to Mayport, Florida on Sunday to wrap up a deployment that lasted more than seven months.
"I could not be more proud of what the Carney team has done since September," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti said aboard the warship earlier this month, welcoming the crew back to the US.
"Called to action on the very first day that you entered the US 5th Fleet, you conducted 51 engagements in six months," Franchetti said.
"The last time our Navy directly engaged the enemy to the degree that you have was way back in World War II."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us ... d5fb&ei=31
"US Navy warships in the Red Sea are fighting off missiles new to combat that are 'way faster' than anything else, destroyer captain says"
Story by jepstein@businessinsider.com (Jake Epstein)
21 MAY 2024
* US Navy warships in the Middle East have been facing off against anti-ship ballistic missiles.
* The Houthis introduced these missiles into combat for the first time in late 2023.
* The captain of an American destroyer said they are "way faster" than anything else.
US Navy warships operating in the Red Sea have been intercepting deadly ballistic missiles that are "way faster" than anything else, according to the commanding officer of an American destroyer that has shot them down.
Anti-ship ballistic missiles are a dangerous weapon that no military had ever faced in combat until recently when the Houthis started firing them into key Middle Eastern waterways late last year as part of their ongoing attacks on international shipping lanes.
Since then, the Iran-backed rebels have fired dozens of anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
US warships in the region have intercepted these missiles on numerous occasions, though some of the weapons have struck commercial vessels.
Civilians were killed during an attack in March.
An anti-ship ballistic missile "is just way faster than anything else," Cmdr. Jeremy Robertson, captain of the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney, told reporters during a media event on Monday.
He said that while the missiles are a challenge, "we have certain capabilities to be able to detect stuff like that."
The Carney was the first US warship in the region to intercept Houthi threats in the fight that began in October 2023.
The destroyer was involved in dozens of engagements during its monthslong deployment — destroying anti-ship ballistic missiles, land-attack cruise missiles, and drones — and it also carried out multiple strikes against the rebels inside Yemen.
The Houthis maintain a sizable arsenal of anti-ship ballistic missiles, according to an analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank.
Some of the missiles are Iranian in origin, while others just contain parts from Tehran.
US Central Command has not identified specific missiles that have been used in any of the Houthi attacks, but ballistic missiles, generally, fly at faster speeds than cruise missiles.
The anti-ship ballistic missile "threat is very challenging — it's very dynamic, and it's very fast," Robertson said.
"These are certainly very dangerous areas, and every interaction is completely different from one another."
Robertson said that his sailors work very quickly to engage these missiles because they must.
From start to finish, the complex process of detecting a threat, making sure it's real, sorting the trajectory, and engaging, may last "anywhere from nine to 20 seconds," he said.
The Carney was ready for the threat though.
"Our systems are doing exactly what we've designed them to do," Robertson said.
"We have training pipelines that build on this threat as well, and so we certainly do a lot of training to make sure the team is ready to handle that threat."
During a visit to the Red Sea earlier this year, Business Insider spoke with Navy officers aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, an aircraft carrier, and USS Gravely, a destroyer, about the Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile threat.
They similarly praised the combat systems on their warships for working as intended and said their sailors are properly learning and training to defeat the threats.
Anti-ship ballistic missiles emerged as a growing concern for the US military long before the conflict with the Houthi conflict began, as Washington looks across the Pacific at China and its growing arsenal of formidable, long-range missiles.
A potential clash between the US and China would unfold across the maritime domain, making anti-ship capabilities a crucial factor.
Experts, including former Navy officers, previously told BI that the Houthi anti-ship missile capabilities don't quite stack up against what China has in its arsenal.
Still, the ongoing engagements in the Middle East are providing the Navy with valuable, first-ever combat experience — and information — to deal with these dangerous missiles.
The Carney has also taken on other missile threats beyond those launched by the Houthis during its lengthy deployment.
Last month, after the destroyer moved out of the Middle East and into the eastern Mediterranean Sea, it used its SM-3 interceptors for the first time to shoot down an Iranian medium-range ballistic missile amid Tehran's unprecedented aerial attack against Israel.
The Carney finally returned home to Mayport, Florida on Sunday to wrap up a deployment that lasted more than seven months.
"I could not be more proud of what the Carney team has done since September," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti said aboard the warship earlier this month, welcoming the crew back to the US.
"Called to action on the very first day that you entered the US 5th Fleet, you conducted 51 engagements in six months," Franchetti said.
"The last time our Navy directly engaged the enemy to the degree that you have was way back in World War II."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us ... d5fb&ei=31