USS Mason Attacked With Houthi Missiles, Drone While Aiding Merchant Ship
United States Central Command announced on Thursday that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason had been subject to an attempted Houthi missile and drone attack, after coming to the aid of a merchant tanker that had come under a boarding attempt by the Houthis. Neither vessel suffered damage or injuries to personnel during the attack.
According to a statement released by Central Command, the USS Mason responded to the mayday call of the MV Ardmore Encounter at 8:30AM Sanaa time on December 13. At the time, Houthi militants were attempting to board the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker using skiffs.
“When this was unsuccessful, a pair of missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at the vessel, which both missed. While responding to the distress call, the Mason shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle also launched from Houthi-controlled areas. The UAV was heading directly towards the Mason and was shot down in self-defense. There were no injuries to personnel and no damage to any vessels. The Ardmore Encounter was able to proceed without further incident.”
The statement followed reports by Fox News and Reuters on the attack citing American officials, but Central Command’s statement did not comment on some officials’ claims that ballistic missiles had been used.
The December 13 attack comes days after a Norwegian-flagged tanker carrying palm oil to Italy was struck by a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile. The MV Strinda reported no casualties during the December 11 attack, with the French frigate Languedoc subsequently shooting down a Houthi drone threatening the tanker and taking up a position protecting it.
According to Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder, the USS Mason was prepared to respond to the MV Strinda’s mayday call following the missile attack, and remained in the tanker’s vicinity to “provide presence in order to deter any further aggression from Houthi territory” after its assistance was no longer required.
The attacks on the Strinda and Ardmore Encounter follow statements from the Houthis over the weekend that they would now target all shipping in the Red Sea that they consider to be headed for Israel, following a string of attacks and threats to similarly attack any military vessels escorting merchant shipping throughout the country.