Attack on U.S. Navy Ships in Jordan Port

(Aqaba, Jordan) A mortar round was fired in the direction of two U.S. Navy warships in docked in the Jordanian Red Sea Port of Aqaba this morning. According to a statement by the U.S. 5th Fleet, the projectile flew across the bow of the USS Ashland (LSD -48), a dock landing ship, and hit a warehouse. There were no American casualties, however, one Jordanian soldier died of injuries.

Also in port was the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), an amphibious assault ship. Both ships subsequently left port.

Concurrently, there were two other mortar attacks, one near a hospital in Aqaba and one on a road near the airport of the resort city of Eilat.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility, however, the missiles used are believed to be Katusha-style rockets, used by pro-Iranian Shiite Hezbollah terrorists.