The U.S. Department of Defense has responded to a recent series of attacks on American naval assets by Yemen's armed forces. On November 11, Yemeni forces targeted two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Stockdale and USS Spruance, as they navigated the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a critical passage between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa. Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder stated at a press briefing that U.S. Central Command forces successfully repelled the assault, which involved multiple missiles and drones.
According to Ryder, the attack included at least eight one-way attack drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles, demonstrating a high level of coordination and tactical planning by Yemeni forces. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, equipped with advanced defense systems, were able to counter the assault without sustaining significant damage.
This confrontation marks a new escalation in Yemen's stance against the U.S. and its allies in the region. Yemen has openly declared its support for Palestine in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, following the October 7 Israeli offensive on Gaza. In response to the Israeli airstrikes and ground operations, which have claimed the lives of at least 27,948 people and injured over 67,000 more, Yemen has taken a firm position against Israel and its supporters. Yemen's armed forces have vowed to continue their strikes on U.S. targets in solidarity with Palestine until the hostilities in Gaza cease.
Yemen's leadership has emphasized that its recent military actions are part of a broader regional response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Following Israel's launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm a significant and surprising offensive led by Palestinian resistance forces Yemen's commitment to this cause has intensified, with the country signaling it will engage militarily as long as Israeli forces continue their operations in Gaza.
The United States and the United Kingdom have both increased their presence in the region, forming a coalition in December to reinforce support for Israel and secure allied interests in areas affected by heightened tensions. This coalition has included bolstered maritime patrols, additional intelligence resources, and naval assets positioned to counter attacks from Yemeni forces.
The recent strike at Bab-el-Mandeb highlights the strategic vulnerability of this vital waterway, through which a significant portion of global trade passes.
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