YEMEN, — The USS Thomas Hudner, which is stationed at Naval Station Mayport, shot down “multiple one-way attack drones” launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen Thursday morning, according to an X post by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).
In the post, CENTCOM says the warship shot the drones down while it was on patrol in the Red Sea, adding that there was no damage to the ship or injuries sustained by the crew on board.
On Sunday, officials say Yemen's Houthi rebels seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in a crucial Red Sea shipping route and took its 25 crew members hostage, raising fears that regional tensions heightened over the Israel-Hamas war, were playing out on a new maritime front. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they hijacked the ship over its connection to Israel and would continue to target ships in international waters that were linked to or owned by Israelis until the end of Israel's campaign against Gaza's Hamas rulers.
“All ships belonging to the Israeli enemy or that deal with it will become legitimate targets,” the Houthis said.
Twice in the last month, U.S. warships have intercepted missiles or drones from Yemen that were believed to be headed toward Israel or posing a threat to American vessels.
On Nov. 15, the USS Thomas Hudner shot down another drone. The warship was sailing toward the Bab-el-Mandeb strait when the crew saw a drone, reported to have originated in Yemen. The ship shot it down over the water. The officials said the crew took action to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, and there were no casualties or damage to the ship.
And on Oct. 19, the USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, intercepted three land attack cruise missiles and several drones that were launched by Houthi forces toward the northern Red Sea.
