US could retaliate for strike on ship off Yemeni coast

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON

A Pentagon spokesman hinted Tuesday that the U.S. might retaliate against a missile attack against one of its destroyers off the coast of Yemen.

“Anybody who takes action, fires against U.S. Navy ships operating in international waters, does so at their own peril,” Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said.

He said two cruise missiles launched from Yemeni shores held by Houthi rebels targeted the USS Mason, a guided missile destroyer and the USS Ponce, an amphibious transport dock conducting a routine operation in international waters near the Bab al-Mandab strait.

The destroyer took “defensive action” against the missiles, Davis said, but did not provide specifics.

"We’re going to find out who did this and we will take action accordingly," Davis said.

He told reporters military leaders are reviewing why the destroyer did not retaliate and, he not confirm any preparation for strikes in the war-torn country.

Although the Houthis rejected the claims, Davis suggested the rebels fired the missiles, noting that the group had acknowledged responsibility for firing on a vessel from the United Arab Emirates a week earlier.

"The Houthis have said publicly before that they would target any ships in that area that were supporting the coalition against them," Davis said.

The Houthis, a Shia rebel group backed by Iran took over Sanaa in 2014 and drove out UN-backed Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour al-Hadi.

Despite several efforts by the UN and neighboring countries, the conflict rages.

A Saudi Arabian-led coalition of Gulf states has been conducting strikes against the Houthis.

The U.S. provides intelligence and logistical support to the coalition, including refueling aircraft.

But following an allegedly Saudi strike on a funeral that killed more than 140 victims in Sanaa last weekend, the White House announced that it would review its support to the coalition.