US Navy intercepts Houthi barrage launched at three warships in Red Sea, two US defense officials say

 The US Navy intercepted a Houthi barrage launched at three of its warships in the Red Sea on Thursday, according to two US defense officials.

It was one of the largest attacks yet on US warships operating in the Middle East, one of the officials said.

The barrage was launched from the Iranian-backed rebel group toward two guided-missile destroyers (the USS Spruance and USS Stockdale) and a littoral combat ship (the USS Indianapolis) as they traveled north through the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The critical waterway connects the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea.

Houthi army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yehya Saree said the vessels were targeted “while they were en route to support and assist the Israeli enemy.” Saree said the attack involved a total of 23 projectiles, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, and was launched by the Houthi Navy, Air Force and Missile Force.

Saree asserted the operation resulted in “direct hits,” a claim rejected by the two US officials.

Since the start of the war in Gaza, the Houthis have carried out a series of attacks on US warships and commercial vessels they claim are linked in some way to Israel.

In December, the USS Carney shot down 14 Houthi drones targeting the guided-missile destroyer.  When the Carney returned home several months later, the US Navy chief said the ship carried out more enemy engagements than any other ship since World War II.

Then in February, a Houthi cruise missile got within one mile of the destroyer USS Gravely, forcing it to use its defensive Gatling gun, dubbed the Navy’s “last line of defense.”