Houthi Missile Comes Within a Mile of US Navy Destroyer in Red Sea
In a startling incident on Tuesday, a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile was fired into the Red Sea and came dangerously close to a US Navy destroyer. The missile came within a mile of the American warship, prompting the crew to activate their Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), which serves as a last line of defense. This marks the closest that a Houthi attack has come to an American warship, raising concerns about the escalating tensions in the region.
The missile was fired by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen towards the Red Sea. Fortunately, it was successfully shot down by the USS Gravely, and no damage or injuries were reported. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details.
For several months now, the Houthi rebels have been launching one-way attack drones and missiles into key waterways off the coast of Yemen. While US warships, and occasionally British or French forces, have managed to intercept and shoot down many of these threats, some commercial vessels have been hit. However, this is the first time that a warship has come so close to being struck.
US Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, like the USS Gravely, are equipped with a CIWS, which consists of a close-range, radar-guided automatic 20 mm cannon capable of firing up to 4,500 rounds per minute. It has an effective range of about two nautical miles. Before engaging the CIWS, warships use interceptors like the SM-2 or SM-3, which are fired from vertical launch system cells to destroy airborne threats. These interceptors pack a powerful punch, with an SM-3 having the force of a 10-ton truck traveling at 600 mph. Additionally, warships can deploy chaff mechanisms to confuse a missile’s radar.
Interestingly, the incident involving the USS Gravely occurred just hours before US forces launched a strike on a Houthi surface-to-air missile in Yemen. The military stated that the missile posed an imminent threat to American aircraft in the region. This preemptive strike is part of a series of actions taken by the US to target Houthi missiles, particularly their anti-ship capabilities, as they pose a significant risk to commercial vessels and American warships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
In addition to these preemptive strikes, both the US and UK have conducted widespread attacks on Houthi sites across Yemen. These strikes have targeted missile launchers, weapons storage facilities, radars, and air-defense systems. Western officials emphasize that these actions are a direct response to the ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the region. They have made it clear that unless the rebels cease their provocations, these strikes will continue.
“We’re certainly taking aggressive action against the Houthis to try to defend shipping in the Red Sea,” stated White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby. However, he also emphasized that the US is not at war with the Iran-backed rebels.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile situation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. As tensions continue to rise, it is crucial for all parties involved to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic solutions to avoid further escalation. The safety of commercial vessels and warships navigating these vital trade routes must be prioritized, and efforts should be made to de-escalate the conflict in Yemen.