Pentagon: US Navy Warship Intercepts Missiles Near Yemen

Facts

• According to the Pentagon, a US Navy warship intercepted three cruise missiles and several drones fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen that it said were potentially headed toward Israel on Thursday.¹
• USS Carney, the destroyer that brought down the projectiles, was reportedly patrolling the Red Sea in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.²
• The Pentagon suggests the missiles and drones were launched from Yemen and were heading north 'potentially toward targets in Israel,' adding there were no injuries.³
• The US Department of Defense claims the missiles were shot down because they 'posed a potential threat' based on their flight profile and that the US is prepared 'to protect our partners and our interests' in the Middle East.⁴
• This comes the same day two military bases hosting US troops in western Iraq were reportedly attacked with drones and missiles amid increasing regional tensions.⁵
• In the past week, the US has increased its naval power in the Middle East, including sending two aircraft carriers and nearly 2K Marines, though it asserts there are 'no plans or intentions' for their use.⁶

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²The New Arab, ³CNN, ⁴Associated Press, ⁵Verity and ⁶The Jerusalem Post.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Responsible Statecraft. The risk of direct US involvement in the Israel-Hamas war is higher than most people may think. Though Washington claims to want to avoid direct involvement in the region, miscalculations, missed signals, and a change in events on the ground could see US forces become directly involved.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by CNN. Biden's support for Israel and its military response to Hamas in Gaza shouldn't be misinterpreted as US intentions to join a war in the Middle East. Washington is simply attempting to avoid escalation in the region and is making efforts to stop the conflict from spiraling into a full-blown war.

Predictions