Houthi forces attacked two American destroyers with drones and missiles as the ships transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait entering the Gulf of Aden on Monday, a Pentagon spokesman said today.
The Houthis launched at least eight one-way uncrewed aerial systems, five anti-ship ballistic missiles and three anti-ship cruise missiles at USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Stockdale (DDG-106), which engaged all the projectiles, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters on Tuesday. U.S. Central Command has not yet issued a statement.
There were no injuries or damage to the two destroyers. This is the second time the two independently-deployed destroyers have come under Houthi fire. The Houthis also launched an attack in late September against the two destroyers, as well as USS Indianapolis (LCS-17), USNI News previously reported.
Houthi spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare’e claimed the attack on the two destroyers was successful in a post on social media site X. Sare’e also said the Houthis attacked USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in the Arabian Sea. Ryder said was not aware of any attacks against the aircraft carrier.
USNI News’ Fleet Tracker, published Tuesday, has Abe in the Gulf of Aden.
Spruance and Stockdale had previously operated as independent destroyers in the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian. As of Monday, the pair were attached to the Lincoln strike group.
