Yemen: Alert in the Gulf of Aden – attack on an American ship

An American warship was attacked in the Gulf of Aden outside Yemeni territorial waters, according to exclusive information from Yemen CNNBy the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Two US officials said the ship defended itself against several missiles.

One of them said with certainty that the missiles were fired by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, which is at war with Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies.

The second official confirmed that two or three missiles were fired

It is still unclear where the missiles were directed. It is possible that the target was the USS Carney or that it was fired at another target.

Iran-backed attacks across the Middle East

The incident comes amid increasing escalation against Israel and the United States in the Middle East, following the Hamas attack and hostage-taking. Iran has announced that the militias it supports – the axis of resistance in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen – will go to war until Israel stops bombing Gaza.

The Houthi rebels possess drones from Iran to launch sea and air attacks.

The destroyer USS Carney crossed the Suez Canal into the Red Sea on Wednesday. The US Navy said in a statement that the ship was there “to assist with maritime security and stability in the Middle East.”

BREAKING: CNN reported that a US Navy ship near the Yemeni coast intercepted missiles fired by the Iran-backed Houthis.

– Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) October 19, 2023

Attack on US forces in Iraq as well

The Ain al-Assad base in western Iraq, where American soldiers and members of the international coalition are stationed, was attacked by missiles and drones this evening, according to Reuters news agency, citing security officials.

Several explosions occurred inside the facilities, according to the same source, with no reports of casualties so far.

Ain al-Asad Air Base is located in Anbar Governorate, west of the country.

Information from Reuters and other sources speaks of attacks against American targets and in Iraq on American bases.

BREAKING: Reuters reported drone and missile attacks on the Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts US forces, in Iraq.

– Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) October 19, 2023

In recent days, pro-Iranian armed groups have threatened to launch attacks against US interests in Iraq due to Washington’s support for Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians.

In previous years, bases hosting international coalition forces were often targeted by missile and drone attacks. However, by the summer of 2022, these attacks had subsided. Such attacks are usually not followed by a claim of responsibility.

The United States blamed organizations close to Tehran.

About 2,500 Americans and 1,000 other military personnel from member states of the international coalition are currently stationed at three Iraqi armed forces bases.