US Warship Downs Drone Launched by Houthis

A US defense official, who requested anonymity, stated on Wednesday that the USS Mason, a US Navy destroyer, intercepted a drone launched by the Houthis from Yemen that was heading towards it while investigating reports of an attack on a commercial vessel. The official mentioned that the Houthis attacked the commercial ship Ardmour Encounter with boats and then fired two missiles that did not hit the vessel, adding that "the ship reported no damage or injuries and continued on its course." This incident occurred a day after the Houthis announced that they targeted a Norwegian commercial tanker with a missile in their latest protest against Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, highlighting the risks of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.