U.S. Navy seizes attackers who held Israel-linked tanker
NPR Online NewsNov 23, 2023
Yemen: Missiles Fired at US Navy Ship From Houthi Territory
Image copyright:Â Rafael Martie/US Navy via Getty Images (June 16, 2016)
The Facts
US Central Command reported that two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen on Monday morning toward the location where the Navy destroyer USS Mason was rescuing a commercial boat, called the M/V Central Park, from an attempted hijacking by Somali Pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
The missiles landed about ten nautical miles away from the vessels, causing no damage or injuries. While the Yemeni government blamed the Iran-backed Houthis for the attack, the rebels didn't take credit for either the seizure or the missile.
The Spin
Anti-Iran narrative
Though shocking, this missile attack isn't surprising at all. Since the Israel-Hamas war began, Iranian-backed forces have attacked US and coalition troops in the Middle East dozens of times. Because maritime security is crucial to regional stability, the US and its allies will work incessantly to ensure safety and prevent further escalations in the conflict.
Pro-Iran narrative
It's quite absurd to claim that Iran has anything to do with incidents such as this missile incident. The Houthi-led Yemeni forces are taking measures to express support for the Palestinian cause as well as to counter Israeli aggression in the region.