Yes, in case you were wondering, the US is very much a part of this ongoing war in the Middle East.

On Tuesday in the Red Sea, the US Navy’s destroyer USS Laboon and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the USS Eisenhower effectively countered a series of aggressive moves by Houthi forces from Yemen. US Central Command disclosed via social media that the coordinated defensive action successfully intercepted an assortment of twelve drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles, and two cruise missiles aimed at land for 10 hours starting at 6:30 a.m. local time.

This vigorous defense occurred just a week after the Pentagon announced the establishment of a new regional task force dedicated to safeguarding commercial vessels from similar threats. Since October 19, the Houthis have been persistently targeting maritime routes in the Red Sea, attempting to disrupt support channels for Israel amidst its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Despite the intensity of the assault, no harm was reported to nearby ships or personnel. This event marks the inaugural response by Navy jets to Houthi-initiated aggression. Additionally, just days before, on December 23, the Laboon was compelled to neutralize four drones advancing toward it.

Inquiries to the Pentagon for further details on the previous incident remained unanswered. These assaults are part of a broader pattern by the Houthis aiming to jeopardize merchant shipping in the region, challenging the US’s ability to deter further conflicts and questioning the containment of Israel’s confrontation with Hamas.

In early December, Houthi representatives declared their intent to continue disrupting Israeli maritime activity in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until the cessation of Israeli actions in Gaza. Despite these tensions, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh emphasized the importance of recognizing that the situation has not escalated into a broader regional conflict.