The attack appears to be the first against a US destroyer amid a growing number of missile and drone strikes or attempted strikes by the Huthis, on what they deem Israeli-linked shipping on the key Red Sea trade route.
The Houthi deputy foreign minister, Hussein al-Ezzi, meanwhile, issued a dire warning, calling what he described a "blatant act of aggression" and threatening serious consequences for both the United States and Britain. According to Hussein al-Ezzi, US and UK fighter planes and vessels launched a "massive aggressive assault" on Yemen, reported CNN.
Russia has requested an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting on January 12 in connection with US and UK strikes in Yemen. The strikes were carried out by the United States and the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the strikes "limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence" and emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade.