Three ships attacked in Red Sea as USS Carney shoots down armed drones | World News

The US says three commercial ships have been attacked in the Red Sea – with one of its destroyers shooting down three armed drones as it went to help

The attacks happened near Yemen and Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility, saying they would stop Israeli-linked ships passing while the war in Gaza is ongoing.

Israel said the ships are not connected to the country.

US Central Command said all the ships attacked were in international waters and that the USS Carney went to help after receiving distress calls.

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It said it believed the attacks were “fully enabled by Iran” and called it a “direct threat to international commerce and maritime security”.

It potentially marks a major escalation in a series of maritime attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas war.

The first attack was about 9.15am local time on Sunday, when the Carney detected a missile fired from Yemen towards the cargo ship M/V Unity Explorer.

The missile landed “in the vicinity of the vessel”, according to the US, which said the ship is “UK-owned and operated” and has crew from two countries – which it didn’t name.

About 12pm, the American ship shot down a drone – again launched form Houthi areas of Yemen. The US said it was headed towards the Carney but that its final target was unclear.

“We cannot assess at this time whether the Carney was a target of the UAVs,” said US Central Command.

About half an hour later, the M/V Unity Explorer was attacked by a second missile – which this time hit the ship and caused “minor damage”, according to the US.

While assessing the damage, another drone was detected and shot down by the USS Carney.

The second vessel attacked was another large cargo ship, M/V Number 9, described as “Bermuda and UK owned and operated”, at about 3.30pm.

It was also hit by a missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, said Central Command – which posted the timeline on X – and said no damage or casualties were reported.

The third ship attacked was the M/V Sophie II – which was hit by a missile and sent a distress call at about 4.30pm.

USS Carney shot down a third drone “headed in its direction” as it went to help, said US Central Command.

It said the M/V Sophie II had a crew from eight countries and was a Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier.

Houthi spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for attacking the Unity Explorer and M/V Number 9.

He claimed they were targeted after rejected warnings from its navy.

“The Yemeni armed forces continue to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea (and the Gulf of Aden) until the Israeli aggression against our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip stops,” he said.

“The Yemeni armed forces renew their warning to all Israeli ships or those associated with Israelis that they will become a legitimate target if they violate what is stated in this statement.”

The Houthis are an ally of Iran and control most of Yemen’s Red Sea coast.

They have previously fired ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel and vowed to target more Israeli vessels.

Last month, an Israeli-linked cargo shop was seized by Houthi militants.

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An Israel Defence Forces spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said the ships attacked had no connection to Israel.

Speaking before the US statement, he said missiles had been fired at two commercial vessels and one was “significantly damaged”.

“It is in distress and apparently is in danger of sinking, and another ship was lightly damaged,” he said.