In a concerning development, a missile attack by the Houthi rebels came dangerously close to a US destroyer, forcing the warship to activate its Close-In Weapons System (CIWS), which serves as a last line of defense. This marks the closest a Houthi attack has come to a US warship, raising alarm among American officials.

The targeted vessel, the USS Gravely, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was sailing in the Red Sea on Tuesday night when the missile approached within a mile of its position. This proximity prompted the activation of the CIWS, an automatic machine gun system that specializes in close-range interceptions and destroying incoming missiles.

Thankfully, there were no reported injuries or damages to the ship following the attack, according to the US Central Command. However, the incident underscores the precision of the Houthi strikes, highlighting the potential threat they pose.

Notably, the Houthi rebel group has been targeting not only US and British ships but also Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The attacks, which began in November, have prompted the US and European Union to enhance their defense capabilities.

In response to the attack on the USS Gravely, the US Central Command announced that it had taken out several Houthi drones and a ground control station in Yemen on Thursday, citing an "imminent threat" to merchant vessels and Navy ships operating in the region. This follows a separate intercept of a Houthi surface-to-air missile that posed an "imminent threat to US aircraft operating in the region."

Meanwhile, the European Union has pledged to launch a full naval mission in the Red Sea within the next three weeks. The mission aims to protect cargo ships from Houthi attacks, but EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized that the fleet would only engage in shielding vessels and not participate in direct combat.

Despite the heightened defensive measures, Houthi leaders have expressed a willingness to engage in war with the US and its allies, considering it an "honor" and asserting that Yemen is prepared for such a conflict.

As tensions continue to escalate, the international community remains on high alert, underlining the need for concerted efforts to mitigate the threat posed by Houthi aggression in the region.