Escalating tensions in the Middle East are once again bringing fresh worries for American ships in the region.

There are multiple reports on social media that U.S. warships near the coast of Yemen shot down over a dozen drones. So far, no one has claimed responsibility for sending the drones.

BREAKING: U.S. warship shoots down 14 attack drones near the coast of Yemen

— BNO News (@BNONews) December 16, 2023

The United State Central Command account on Twitter/X has confirmed that an engagement took place in the early hours of December 16.

In the early morning hours of December 16 (Sanna time) the US Arliegh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS CARNEY (DDG 64), operating in the Red Sea, successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems launched as a drone wave from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The UAS were… pic.twitter.com/Rjkzng5LxW

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 16, 2023

CENTCOM announced:

In the early morning hours of December 16 (Sanna time) the US Arliegh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS CARNEY (DDG 64), operating in the Red Sea, successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems launched as a drone wave from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. 

The UAS were assessed to be one-way attack drones and were shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries. Regional Red Sea partners were alerted to the threat.

It is not the first time American ships have come under fire from Houthi-controlled Yemen.

SEE ALSO:
New Drone Attacks on US Forces in Syria, Iranian Proxies Claim Responsibility
US Naval Warship Shoots Down Another Drone Launched From Yemen

The escalating tensions in the region come as Israel continues its assault on Hamas in Gaza, which has sparked outrage across much of the Muslim world and the global community. The U.S. is currently engaging in talks with Israel to stop what President Joe Biden called "indiscriminate" bombings of the civilian-heavy Gaza Strip. 

However, Israel has committed to wiping out Hamas, which orchestrated the deadly attack that killed more than 1,200 civilians on October 7.

Other terror organizations, like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis of Yemen, have also made moves to disrupt the region as a result. Houthi forces are believed to be responsible for the attacks on ships just off Yemen's coast.