In a recent and alarming development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) narrowly avoided a potentially devastating attack by Houthi militants from Yemen. This incident marks the closest that a Houthi attack has come to a U.S. warship to date. The USS Gravely, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer stationed in the Red Sea, managed to intercept a cruise missile launched by the militants on Tuesday. According to four U.S. officials, the missile came within one mile of the Gravely before it was successfully shot down.
The Houthi militants have been responsible for numerous attacks on international shipping lanes, including direct assaults on U.S. warships. The recent incident highlights the gravity of the situation, considering the increasing frequency and proximity of these attacks. Prior to this event, previous launches were typically intercepted at ranges of eight miles or more using interceptor missiles. The fact that the missile got this close to the USS Gravely suggests a failure in the defensive layers that should have intercepted the threat. Fortunately, the ship's close-in weapons system (CIWS), an automated machine gun, managed to track and shoot down the cruise missile at a range of one mile.
This alarming event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes, not only to U.S. warships but also to commercial vessels operating in the crucial waterways of the region. The United States, along with the United Kingdom and other allies, has continuously warned about these attacks and their potential consequences.
Additionally, another incident occurred where the U.S. preemptively targeted a surface-to-air missile as it was being prepared for launch from Yemen. These dynamic strikes demonstrate the readiness of the U.S. military to neutralize potential threats at the crucial moment before they are unleashed. Such actions illustrate the ongoing efforts to disrupt the Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes.
The situation in the region remains highly volatile and precarious. The United States, along with its allies, continues to monitor and respond to these attacks with utmost vigilance. The protection of both military and commercial vessels navigating through one of the world's busiest and strategic waterways remains of paramount importance. Further diplomatic and military measures are expected to be taken to counter this escalating threat and safeguard maritime security in the region.
