Pentagon: US Navy intercepted missiles from Yemen 'potentially' aimed at Israel

(Patria) - A US Navy ship in the Red Sea shot down missiles and drones fired by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, likely at Israel, the Pentagon announced, AFP reports.

Three cruise missiles and several drones were intercepted by the destroyer, Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder told reporters. The attack was "launched by Houthi forces in Yemen" potentially towards targets in Israel, he added.

The USS Carney was patrolling the Red Sea as part of an increased US military presence ordered by President Joe Biden to maintain stability following the war between Israel and Hamas.

Ryder said the missiles were fired from Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels are at war with a Saudi Arabia-led coalition-backed government. He said there were no US casualties and the intercepted missiles likely fell into the open sea, not on land.

"We cannot say with certainty what these missiles were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen, heading north along the Red Sea. Our defensive response was one we would take for any similar threat in the region," he said.

"We have the capability to defend our broader interests in the region and to deter regional escalation and the spread of the conflict that began with Hamas's attack on Israeli civilians," he added.