US navy ship takes damage in Middle East

ISTANBUL

In an incident that is under investigation, a US Navy replenishment ship took damage while operating in the Middle East, CNN reported, citing a Navy official.

The USNS Big Horn was damaged after refueling and replenishment operations for Navy vessels in the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.

The official did not disclose the location of the incident or specify the nature of the damage to the ship.

The Lincoln carrier strike group has been actively operating in and around the Gulf of Oman, serving as a deterrent to Iran.

“It is too early to speculate on the specifics or cause of the damage,” the Navy official said, adding that all crew members aboard the Big Horn are safe.

Yemeni Houthis have tried to damage US commercial vessels in the Middle East they say are linked to Israel’s nearly yearlong war on Gaza, which has killed over 41,000 people and injured more than 95,000.