The Pentagon announced that the destroyer "USS Carney" shot down on Thursday 3 missiles and a number of drones launched by the Houthis from Yemen, and this development comes amid fears that the spark of the Israeli war on Gaza will spread to the region.

Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said at a news conference that it was not possible to determine with certainty the target of the missiles, but noted that they were likely aimed at targets in Israel.

Al Jazeera correspondent reported that the Israeli army is investigating whether the rockets fired from Yemen were aimed at southern Israel, and Israel's Channel 13 said Israeli assessments indicate that the Houthi rockets were heading for Israel.

The Pentagon spokesman said that the necessary measures will be taken to protect US forces after attacks on US soldiers in Iraq and Syria, noting that the deployment of US fighter jets in the region is being strengthened to provide additional capabilities.

Ryder said his country was capable of deterring any regional escalation (French)

Regional escalation

Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder stressed that his country has the ability to defend its interests in the region and deter any regional escalation or expansion of the conflict initiated by Hamas.

Ryder noted that a US base in Syria was targeted by a drone that was destroyed, causing minor casualties among the US-led coalition.

He also said that US forces yesterday repelled three marches targeting coalition forces at Ain al-Assad base in Anbar province in western Iraq.

The US spokesman said Washington was still working to determine who was responsible for the recent attacks on US forces in Syria and Iraq.

Earlier, Reuters quoted security sources as saying that an attack with drones and missiles targeted Ain al-Assad base, and that explosions rang out inside.

On the other hand, Ryder said that the information available to his country does not show that Iran has a direct link to the recent Hamas attacks.

The United States has threatened to retaliate if other parties intervene in the confrontation against Israel.