
An American warship and several commercial ships were attacked in the Red Sea on Sunday, the Pentagon stated, potentially marking a dramatic escalation in a series of maritime attacks in the Middle East linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“We’re aware of reports regarding attacks on the USS Carney and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and will provide information as it becomes available,” the Pentagon said.
The Carney is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
The British military earlier stated that there had been a suspected drone attack and explosions in the Red Sea, but did not elaborate.
The Pentagon did not explain where it believes the fire came from. In any case, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, as well as drones and missiles aimed toward Israel as they wage war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
According to a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, the attack started at 10 a.m. in Sanaa, Yemen and lasted up to five hours. Another US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity for the same reason, stated that the Carney intercepted at least one drone during the attack.