Houthis Missile Attack on 2 U.S. Destroyers in Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Pentagon Confirms

[Social Media]

 

Two U.S. Navy destroyers, USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Stockdale (DDG-106), were targeted by Houthi forces with a series of missiles and drones as they exited the Red Sea and entered the Gulf of Aden through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Pentagon reported on Tuesday. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder confirmed that Houthi forces launched at least eight drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles at the two destroyers. The U.S. warships successfully intercepted all projectiles, with no reported injuries or damage to either vessel. 

 

The incident marks the second attack by Houthi forces on these destroyers, which were also targeted by Houthi missiles in late September, along with the USS Indianapolis (LCS-17). The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have increased their missile and drone capabilities in recent years, frequently targeting vessels and other military assets in the region as a part of the broader conflict in Yemen. Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare’e, a spokesman for the Houthis, claimed that the recent attacks were successful. In a post on social media platform X, he also asserted that Houthi forces had attacked the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in the Arabian Sea. However, Ryder stated he had no information regarding an attack on the Lincoln.

 

According to USNI News' Fleet Tracker, USS Abraham Lincoln was stationed in the Gulf of Aden as of Tuesday. Both Spruance and Stockdale were previously operating independently in the Red Sea under Operation Prosperity Guardian. On Monday, however, the two ships joined the Abraham Lincoln strike group for enhanced regional security. 

 

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, making it a strategically significant route for international trade and naval operations. In recent months, tensions in the region have heightened, with Houthis conducting multiple missile and drone strikes in the area, creating additional pressure on U.S. forces to maintain security in key waterways. 

 

The Pentagon has yet to release further details, and U.S. Central Command has not issued an official statement on the attack. However, these continued confrontations highlight the ongoing challenges in securing vital maritime routes in a region fraught with political and military instability.

 

Based on a report by US Naval Institute 2024-11-14

 

 

 

 

 

[Luuk Chaai]

Get ready ....  Payback's a B... itch

 

[jippytum]

I Hope retaliation will be swift and strong Isralie style. 

Those rebels have been attacking ships in international waters for years. 

[john donson]

do those ship not have anti missiles systems that cost 30 million dollar each and shoots 4000 rounds a minute that cost 27$ per 'bullet' ?

[flexomike]

1 hour ago, john donson said:

do those ship not have anti missiles systems that cost 30 million dollar each and shoots 4000 rounds a minute that cost 27$ per 'bullet' ?

Read the article they intercepted all 

[seajae]

they need to blow the bejesus out of these terrorists, as long as they play handies with them it will continue but totally destroying them will send a message they cannot keep getting away with it. Retaliations are pathetic at best, wipe them off the face of the earth and it ends

 

[Hawaiian]

Time to get serious about this threat to the USN, but also to international shipping.  By serious I mean completely destroy anything that looks like a missile launching site. The sooner the better before one missile slips through and does some real damage.

[thaipo7]

9 hours ago, jippytum said:

I Hope retaliation will be swift and strong Isralie style. 

Those rebels have been attacking ships in international waters for years. 

We will have to wait until Trump to see real action.  Ask ISIS.

[thesetat2013]

10 hours ago, john donson said:

do those ship not have anti missiles systems that cost 30 million dollar each and shoots 4000 rounds a minute that cost 27$ per 'bullet' ?

I would say Yes.. But I base that on the fact that the OP says all missiles and drones were intercepted and destroyed and no damage to the ships at all. 

[Yellowtail]

A vessel intentionally firing in a war ship, nice.