A US official told CNN that the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins and the cruiser USS Antietam sailed within 12 miles of four of the Paracel Islands in its what the US Navy calls a "freedom of navigation operation" (FONOP), which are meant to enforce the right of free passage in international waters.
Sarkaal Maraykanka u hadlay ayaa CNN u sheegay in markabka burburiyaha ah ee xambaara gantaalaha nooca la hago ee USS Higgins iyo markabka dheereeya ee USS Antietam ay 12 mayl oo qura usoo jirsadeen gasiiradaha Paracel Islands wax ay Maraykanku ku sheegeen "howlgalka xornimo socodka" (FONOP), taasoo ay u cuskanayaan inay xaq u leeyihiin inay mari karaan biyaha caalamiga ah.