"USS Mason Counters Houthi Missile Threats, Securing Red Sea Shipping Lanes"
The US Navy intercepted two anti-ship missiles fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen towards international shipping in the Red Sea, marking the 23rd such attack since November. The USS Gravely and USS Laboon responded to a distress call from the Maersk Hangzhou, which had been hit by a separate missile strike. These incidents threaten a major global trade route and come amidst heightened tensions in the region, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties. The US has established a multinational naval task force to safeguard Red Sea transit in response to these threats.