U.S. Navy destroyer is sent to patrol off coast of Yemen after Iranian-backed militia's suicide attack on Saudi warship

  • Guided missile destroy USS Cole will patrol off southwestern coast of warn-torn country after rebels' suicide attack on Saudi warship
  • Houthi rebels - who are backed by Iran - killed two crewmen on the Saudi vessel, escalated tensions in the Gulg region with the attack
  • USS Cole was attacked by al Qaeda bombers in 2000 as it refueled in Yemeni port of Aden, with 17 sailors killed by suicide terrorists 

By Reuters

Published: 11:51 EST, 3 February 2017 | Updated: 15:13 EST, 3 February 2017

The United States has sent a Navy destroyer to patrol off the coast of Yemen to protect waterways from Houthi militia aligned with Iran, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Friday, amid heightened tension between Washington and Tehran.

The USS Cole arrived in the vicinity of the Bab al-Mandab Strait off southwestern Yemen where it will carry out patrols, including escorting vessels, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In 2000, the USS Cole was attacked when al Qaeda bombers steered a boat full of explosives into the side of the American warship while it refueled in the Yemini port of Aden, killing 17 U.S. sailors and wounding about three dozen others.

Test firing: The USS Cole fired Phalanx close-in weapons system rounds on Thursday as it sailed for waters off Yemen's southwest coast

Firepower: The USS Cole is part of the Arleigh Burke-class of guided missiles destroyers. Its deployment against Iranian-backed rebels comes amid escalating tension with Tehran

While U.S. military vessels have carried out routine operations in the region in the past, this movement, first reported by Reuters, is part of an increased presence there aimed at protecting shipping from the Houthis, the officials said.

The Houthis are allied to Iran, which is at odds with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The country recently test launched a ballistic missile.

Trump said on Thursday 'nothing is off the table' in dealing with Iran, a day after his national security adviser, Michael Flynn said he was putting Iran 'on notice.'

The officials said the decision to move the USS Cole was made before the most recent comments.

Earlier this week, the armed Houthi movement attacked a Saudi warship off the western coast of Yemen, causing an explosion that killed two crew members.

Attack: The Saudi warship lost two sailors as it was attacked by the Houthi rebels in a suicide mission

Iranian support: The Houthis are Shi'ite Muslims who are supported in their rebellion by the regime in Tehran. They are fighting against the Saudi Arabian-backed Sunni government

That incident was part of an escalation in combat on Yemen's western coast between the militia and the coalition backing the country's internationally recognized government.

Last October, the U.S. military launched cruise missile strikes to knock out three coastal radars located in areas of Yemen controlled by Houthi forces, retaliating after failed missile attacks on another U.S. destroyer, the USS Mason.

Tensions with Iran increased further on Friday when the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on 13 people and 12 entities under U.S. Iran sanctions authority.

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