By The Smartencyclopedia Staff &Agencies
Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kearney
A U.S. Navy ship operating in the Red Sea shot down an Iranian-made missile that officials said was launched from Yemen in November. According to the Pentagon report on the 29th.
In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, Chief Fire Controlman (Aegis) Kenneth Krull, assigned to the USS Carney (DDG 64), mans the combat systems coordinator console in the combat information center during a general quarters drill on Oct. 14, 2023, in the Eastern Mediterranean. The warship sailing near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait shot down a drone launched from Yemen on Wednesday, Nov. 29, the U.S. military said, in the latest in a string of threats from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The USS Carney downed the drone, a Iranian-made KAS-04, which was launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen and was heading toward the ship. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Lau/U.S. Navy via AP)
Around 11 a.m., the Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kearney shot down an Iranian-made KAS-04 aircraft in the area as it approached a submarine. Close to the Bab el-Mandab Canal, a waterway that connects to the Red Sea. in the Gulf of Aden near the Arabian Sea, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.
The Red Sea is an important trade route for transporting and supplying electricity. According to Central Command, an “unidentified vehicle” or drone was launched from parts of the area controlled by Houthi rebels, who have begun to dispute the situation. Earlier this month, they reportedly fired missiles and drones in one direction toward Israel.
“While its intent is unknown, the [drone] was headed toward the ship,” Central Command said.
The USS Carney was escorting a Military Sealift Command ship and another vessel carrying weapons and personnel to the area when the noise approached, officials said.
“At the time of the shooting, the USS Carney was escorting a U.S. Navy supply ship (USS Tanker) and another U.S.-flagged armed vessel to the area,” he added.
No injuries to U.S. personnel and damage to U.S. ships were reported following the incident.
Wednesday’s incident was the second downing of a drone in the Middle East in the past few weeks by U.S. officials who they believe were launched by Iran-backed rebels in Yemen.