JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville-based destroyer defended multiple commercial vessels in the southern Red Sea from foreign attacks on Sunday, according to a statement from the US Central Command.
The USS Carney, which is an Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer stationed out of Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, answered distress calls and protected the ships that were under attack.
There were a total of four attacks on three different commercial vessels connected to 14 separate nations.
A release from US Central Command condemned the attacks saying they "represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security." Central Command said it believes all the attacks were enabled by Iran, despite being "launched by Houthis in Yemen."
Two of the attacks were claimed by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, according to the Associated Press.
These attacks come four days after the Carney shot down an Iranian-produced drone launched from the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, according to Central Command.
At roughly 9:30 a.m. Sanaa time, while patrolling in the Red Sea, The Carney detected a ballistic missile from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen on the Bahamas-flagged cargo ship Unity Explorer that was affecting "the vicinity of the vessel," according to Central Command. The Unity Explorer is a United Kingdom-owned ship, operated by a crew from two nations.
At noon, the Carney shot down a drone launched from the Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that was headed toward the Carney, however, "its specific target is not clear," Central Command said. No personnel were injured in the attack, nor was there damage to the vessel.
Roughly 30 minutes later, the Carney responded to the Unity Explorer that reported it was struck by a missile fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, according to Central Command.
While assessing the minor damage left on the Unity Explorer from the missile strike, the Carney detected another inbound drone. Crews on the Carney were able to destroy the drone with no damage to the Carney or the Unity Explorer.
Hours later, the Carney responded to two commercial ships that were struck by missiles an hour apart.
One of the ships, the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Number 9, was hit at approximately 3:30 p.m. "while operating international shipping lanes in the Red Sea." Officials said the missile was sent from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
At 4:30 p.m., another Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Sophie II sent a distress call to report it was hit by a missile. While the Carney was heading to assist Sophie II, it shot down a drone heading toward it, according to Central Command.
Number 9 reported vessel damage, but no casualties as a result of the missile strike. Sophie II sustained "no significant damage," after the strike.
Central Command said the attacks "have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world" adding that "the United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordinating with its international allies and partners."