The U.S. Navy destroyer Gravely intercepted a hostile anti-ship cruise missile launched by the Houthis, a group tied to the Ansar Allah movement that controls parts of northern Yemen. The announcement came from United States Central Command (CENTCOM) via its official social media channels.
CENTCOM’s account describes the incident as occurring on January 30, around 23:30 Moscow time, when a Houthis-initiated anti-ship missile was fired toward the Red Sea from territory under Houthi control. The Gravely responded by destroying the missile before it could reach any target at sea. There is no confirmed information yet about damage to the destroyer or injuries among its crew.
Earlier, U.S. forces destroyed a Houthis project targeted at vessels in the Red Sea region, according to the same briefings.
The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have repeatedly used anti-ship missiles against vessels associated with Israel, as well as ships linked to adversaries of the Houthis. The broader situation has drawn attention from Western allies and regional partners due to the potential disruption of shipping routes through key maritime corridors.
In parallel, leaders in the United States and the United Kingdom have signaled a willingness to intensify ongoing efforts to curb Houthi capabilities and reduce regional risk. The evolving dynamic in the Red Sea continues to shape naval operations, alliance posture, and risk assessments for commercial shippers passing through these busy waters.