WASHINGTON: An American warship opened fire on a drone that was heading toward it from Yemen, a US defense official said Wednesday.
The official did not specify who launched the aircraft, but Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a series of recent drone and missile attacks during Israel’s war against Hamas.
The USS Thomas Hudner guided missile destroyer “engaged a drone that originated from Yemen and was heading in the direction of the ship,” the defense official said.
The incident comes after the US Navy shot down multiple missiles and drones last month that it said were fired by the Houthis, who are opposed to government forces in Yemen and are also part of the “axis of resistance” of groups arrayed against Israel.
Hamas carried out a shock cross-border attack from Gaza on October 7 that Israeli officials say killed about 1,200 people, setting off the latest round of devastating conflict between the two sides.
Israel responded with a relentless air, land and naval assault on Hamas-controlled Gaza that the territory’s health ministry says has killed more than 11,300 people.
Those deaths have sparked widespread anger in the Middle East and provided an impetus for attacks against both American troops in the region as well as Israel.
Yemen’s Houthis said last week that they shot down an MQ-9 drone that was spying as part of Washington’s support for Israel, while American forces in Iraq and Syria have faced dozens of rocket and drone attacks in recent weeks that US officials have blamed on Iran-backed groups.
US warship fires on drone launched from Yemen
https://arab.news/yktag
US warship fires on drone launched from Yemen
- The official did not specify who launched the aircraft
- The incident comes after the US Navy shot down multiple missiles and drones last month
GCC states ‘face reliance on Saudi Arabia for food imports’
- With 70 percent of food coming through Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn of inevitable shortages
DUBAI: Some Gulf states may have to rely on overland food deliveries from Saudi Arabia if the US-Israel-Iran war continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and restrict regional airspace, analysts warned on Thursday.
The region is up to 90 percent dependent on food imports, and price surges and scarcity of some goods are expected.
“With over 70 percent of GCC foodstuffs being imported through the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf states face shortages if the war persists,” said Neil Quilliam of the Chatham House think tank.
“While GCC countries have taken steps to diversify suppliers and ensure sufficient stores to withstand disruption, this can only last several months. At this point, price increases and longer lead times will start to hit the markets.”
Commodities analyst Ishan Bhanu said: “The biggest immediate effect will be due to the blockade of Jebel Ali in Dubai, serving about 50 million people. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq effectively become landlocked and will depend on overland routes through Saudi Arabia.”
Bottlenecks are yet to show and the UAE has said its strategic reserves of vital goods cover four to six months of needs. It urged residents to report unjustified price increases through a dedicated hotline.
Supermarket staff throughout the Gulf said shelves remain largely stocked, though suppliers are taking longer to replenish certain products. Iran’s strikes on the Gulf since Saturday prompted panic buying in supermarkets, a dry run for what could come.
“Perception of risk matters, and even if stocks are sufficient now, public runs on supermarkets can spook the public,” Quilliam said.
