The guided missile destroyer, USS Cole, was deployed to patrol the Gulf of Aden in response to a Houthi rebel suicide attack on a Saudi Arabian war vessel in the Red Sea.
On Monday, a Houthi rebel boat loaded with explosives rammed into a Saudi Al Madinah-class frigate in the Red Sea, killing two and wounding three. Two defense officials told Fox News after the incident that the attack was intended for an American vessel. The Shiite Houthis, backed by Iran, have been fighting a Saudi backed coalition for two years in Yemen.
In the video, the narrator said, “God is great, death to America, death to Israel, a curse on the Jews, a victory for Islam!”
Last weekend, Navy SEALs teamed up with United Arab Emirates Special Forces to carry out a raid targeting senior Al Qaeda in Yemen leaders. In the first American combat death under President Donald Trump, Navy Chief Petty Officer William “Ryan” Owens was killed and at least three other U.S. service members were wounded in the raid.The USS Cole was attacked by an Al Qaeda suicide boat in October 2000 while docked in Yemen. 17 sailors were killed in that attack.
