Two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched on Dec. 23 into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea from Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen, according to U.S. Central Command.
No ships reported any impact from the ballistic missiles.
The USS Laboon (DDG 58) was patrolling in the Southern Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian and successfully intercepted four unmanned aerial drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that were heading toward the warship. There were no injuries or damage resulting from this incident.
Central Command received reports from two ships in the Southern Red Sea indicating that they were under attack. The M/V Blaamanen, a Norwegian-flagged chemical/oil tanker owned and operated by Norway, reported a near miss by a Houthi one-way attack drone, with no injuries or damage reported. A second vessel, the M/V Saibaba, a Gabon-owned crude oil tanker flying the Indian flag, reported being hit by a one-way attack drone, with no injuries reported.
Laboon responded to the distress calls resulting from these attacks. These incidents mark the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since Oct. 17.
