Escalation of Naval Conflicts: Houthi Rebels Target US and Allied Vessels in a Series of Attacks
As tensions in the Middle East soar, recent naval attacks attributed to Houthi rebels signal a disturbing uptick in hostilities, targeting US and Israeli ships.
Published April 25, 2024 - 00:04am
Houthi rebels from Yemen have launched a series of audacious attacks on US and allied naval vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the broader region, signaling a spike in maritime tensions. A spokesperson for the Houthi forces, Yahya Saree, claimed the successful use of naval missiles and drones against American and Israeli ships, as part of their response to the perceived oppression of the Palestinian cause and to continued military aggression by US and UK forces in Yemen.
The US Central Command (USCENTCOM) confirmed missile activity targeting the US-flagged Maersk Yorktown cargo ship, but reported no injuries or damage. Simultaneously, multiple drone assaults were allegedly staged against a US destroyer and an Israeli commercial vessel, raising concerns over the safety of marine navigation in such pivotal international waterways. The British security firm Ambrey corroborated an incident southwest of Aden's port city, often an area of Houthi activity against ships associated with Israel or the US.
This increase in aggression comes despite a period of relative calm in the region. However, the Houthis, maintaining control over significant parts of Yemen since 2015, seem to have intensified their maritime attacks since last November, correlating them with the conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza. These naval attacks have imposed challenges on the security of global shipping through the crucial Suez Canal corridor and have prompted re-routing to avoid the risk-laden Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Amidst these threats, US and British forces have conducted strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. This military response follows more than 50 Houthi attacks on shipping, featuring the seizure and sinking of vessels since November, as quoted by the US Maritime Administration. Such turmoil underscores the strategic importance of the Bab El-Mandeb Strait and surrounding seas as a lifeline of international trade, now caught in the crossfires of ongoing Middle East conflicts.