Iran backed Yemen rebels fired two missiles at the USS Mason in the Red Sea. We fired five shots back at them. The three U*S missiles were fired to shoot down the two missiles fired at them from the ground in Yemen. The Pentagon says that the missiles were fired by the Iranian backed Houthi rebels. The Houthis have denied firing the missiles but subsequent investigations seem to confirm what the Pentagon has said.
THE USS MASON
HOUTHIS
On Wednesday, US officials said they were seeing growing indications that Iran-allied Houthi rebels, despite denials, were responsible for Sunday’s attack.
The rebels appeared to use small skiffs as spotters to help direct a missile attack on the warship, US officials, who are not authorized to speak publicly because the investigation is ongoing, told Reuters.
The US is also investigating the possibility that a radar station under Houthi control in Yemen might have also ‘painted’ the USS Mason, something that would have helped the Iran-aligned fighters pass along coordinates for a strike, said the officials.
Neither of the two missiles fired from Houthi-controlled territory on Sunday hit the USS Mason or the nearby USS Ponce, an amphibious transport dock.
But the incident threatens to trigger the first direct U.S. military action against Houthis in Yemen’s conflict, even if it is limited to one-off retaliation.
The Houthis have publicly denied any role in the strike. A senior Western diplomat told Reuters those denials have been communicated privately as well.