Another alert now, Houthi rebels fired upon the USS Mason after the ship responded to a distress call from an Israeli-linked ship, likely attacked by Somali pirates as per the Pentagon. There have been at least 73 attacks on U.S. forces since October 17th.
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper will be joining us to discuss whether the U.S. needs to take stronger action against these Iranian proxies. Five armed hijackers tracked the USS Mason and fired two ballistic missiles toward it. Both missiles fell short, splashing down 10 nautical miles away from the Mason in the Gulf. This is seen as a significant escalation in Houthi threats to U.S. Navy vessels, according to multiple U.S. Navy sources. In 2016, the USS Mason found itself in a similar situation and took the unusual step of firing an SM-2 missile to defend itself and the USS Ponce against Houthi cruise missiles. That was the first time SM-2 missile defense was used by a warship in combat.
On Sunday, Navy personnel on board the USS Mason responded to a distress call from an Israeli tanker named Central Park. Five armed gunmen seized the tanker after boarding from a skiff by pulling up alongside the tanker, which had a low freeboard, giving the hijackers easy access. Initial indications suggest the five individuals were Somali pirates, but it’s not clear who sent them.
The crew had locked themselves in the Citadel safe room. The gunmen tried to breach the door to the safe room and then left the ship, attempting to return to the shores of Yemen. U.S. Navy personnel pursued and arrested them. Warning shots were fired, and a U.S. helicopter gunship provided cover. The hijackers are now being held on the USS Mason and questioned by the U.S. military under counter-piracy authorities.
A Japanese Navy destroyer also assisted the USS Mason with the interdiction. However, three Chinese Navy warships were in the area but did not offer assistance during the 59 distress calls from the Central Park. New questions are being raised as to why the U.S. has not responded to the escalating threats from the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.
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