Pentagon rejects claim by Houthis about attacking USS Abraham Lincoln

WASHINGTON

A Pentagon official rejected the Houthi claims Tuesday that the group targeted the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.

"To my knowledge, not aware of any attacks against the Abraham Lincoln," spokesman Pat Ryder told the reporters.

That was in response to the Yemeni group’s claim of responsibility for two military operations late Tuesday that targeted US warships in the Red and Arabian seas.

Ryder said US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces "successfully repelled multiple Iranian-backed Houthi attacks" during a transit of the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Monday.

During the transit, Ryder said the destroyers, the USS Stockdale and the USS Spruance, were "attacked by at least eight one-way attacks, uncrewed aerial systems, five anti-ship ballistic missiles and three anti-ship cruise missiles."

"The vessels were not damaged, no personnel were hurt," he said.

"CENTCOM forces retain the inherent right of self-defense, as I highlighted earlier, will take appropriate steps to protect our personnel," Ryder added.

The Red Sea is a critical global sea route, frequently used for oil and fuel shipments. In recent months, Houthi forces have targeted Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and the nearby Gulf of Aden, in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli offensive since Oct. 7, 2023.

US defense chief Lloyd Austin announced earlier this year the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian -- a multinational mission designed to counter Houthi attacks in the region.