- Multiple commercial ships came under fire in the Red Sea on Sunday.
- A US Navy destroyer responding to the incidents had to battle off multiple drones during the day.
- It's the latest example of how American forces are increasingly engaging hostile Iran-backed groups.
As Israel's war with Hamas nears the two-month mark, US forces in the Middle East are increasingly finding themselves in fights with Iran-backed militant groups, with engagements taking place at sea, on land, and in the air.
In the most recent episode on Sunday, a US Navy warship shot down three drones over a period that lasted more than four hours as it responded to missile attacks against internationally flagged commercial vessels in the Red Sea. US Central Command (CENTCOM) pinned the blame on the Houthis, a rebel group in Yemen that's armed and supported by Iran.
All three drones were headed toward the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, when it shot them down. But it's unclear if the warship or any of the commercial vessels that came under the attack were the actual targets in all three cases.
“These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security,” CENTCOM said in a statement that provided details on the incidents. “They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world.”
“We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran,” the US military said, adding that it will consider “all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.”