The USS Carney, an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer, successfully intercepted the projectiles as they were heading towards Israel along the Red Sea.

The trajectory of the intercepted weapons left little doubt that they were intended for Israel, providing a clearer assessment than the initial take from the Pentagon. This sustained barrage targeting Israel from outside the Gaza conflict raises concerns about the escalating war risks beyond the borders of the coastal enclave.

The missiles and drones were fired by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, according to Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder. The interception of Houthi launches by the US is a rare event, making the timing of this incident particularly significant amid rising tensions in Israel.

The intercepted projectiles posed a potential risk to commercial aviation, as some were traveling at altitudes that could have endangered aircraft. To counter the threat, the US warship utilized SM-2 surface-to-air missiles for interception.

This incident comes in the wake of several attacks on US and coalition forces in Syria and Iraq. In Iraq, rockets targeted the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center near the airport, with one rocket intercepted by a counter-rocket system and another hitting an empty storage facility. In Syria, the At-Tanf garrison, housing US and coalition forces, was targeted by two drones, resulting in minor injuries.

The recent attacks in Iraq and Syria have not been attributed to any specific entity, but Iranian proxies have previously carried out similar drone and rocket attacks against US forces in both countries. The US military has responded to previous attacks by conducting strikes on Iranian-backed militias, although the Pentagon has yet to disclose its intentions regarding a response to these latest incidents.

Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder emphasized that the US will take all necessary actions to defend US and coalition forces against any threat. Ryder stated, "Any response, should one occur, will come at a time and a manner of our choosing."

As tensions continue to rise in the region, the intercepting of drones and missiles by the USS Carney highlights the ever-increasing challenges faced by US and coalition forces in the Middle East. The situation remains tense, and further developments are awaited as the US determines its course of action in response to these targeted attacks.