Following a recent surge in Houthi rebel activity in Yemen, maritime security in the Red Sea has deteriorated significantly. The rebels, primarily targeting merchant shipping, have intensified their assaults, stirring international alarm and sparking a robust military response.
The U.S. Military’s Central Command has reported a series of maritime disturbances attributed to the Houthi rebels, whose leadership openly declared attacks on any ship associated with Israeli ports or countries supporting Israel, a stance later expanded to include American and British vessels. The Pentagon’s stance is that the Houthis are indiscriminately targeting ships from various nations.
The conflict, igniting after Hamas’ attacks on Israel, has seen the Houthis launch more than 50 attacks on shipping, including the seizure of one vessel and the sinking of another since November. Despite a brief lull, this has resumed with new fervor.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder expressed a commitment to defending international shipping and mariners transiting the Red Sea and indicated continued actions to degrade Houthi capabilities. “Certainly everyone would like to see the Houthis stop these attacks and we will continue to call on them to stop immediately,” Ryder stated. “But if they don’t, we will continue to take appropriate actions.”
Among the notable incidents, Greek frigate Hydra shot down a Houthi drone over the Gulf of Aden. Coalition forces have been actively engaging Houthi-launched missiles and drones, with the USS Mason (DDG-87) and USS Laboon (DDG-58) playing crucial roles in intercepting attacks on commercial shipping.
In response to continuous Houthi aggression, the U.S. and the United Kingdom, supported by allies, have conducted joint strikes against Houthi targets. These operations have aimed to dismantle the rebels’ anti-ship capabilities and disrupt their attacks on international shipping lanes.
The Houthis have said they will continue their attacks until Israel ends its war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.
Most of the ships targeted by the Houthis have had little or no direct connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war. The rebels have also fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted.
Relevant articles:
– USNI News Timeline: Conflict in the Red Sea, USNI, 04/28/2024
– Ship comes under attack off coast of Yemen as Houthi rebel campaign appears to gain new speed, The Associated Press, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:41:00 GMT
– Ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels damage Panama-flagged oil tanker in Red Sea, ABC News, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 18:11:15 GMT
– Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Now in the Mediterranean Sea, USNI News, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:38:00 GMT
– Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim downing U.S. Reaper drone, release footage showing wreckage of aircraft, CTV News, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 16:16:15 GMT