In a significant escalation of conflict in the Red Sea, the Houthi rebels from Yemen launched an unprecedented wave of missile and drone strikes aimed at disrupting maritime traffic. This aggressive move prompted a swift response from both the United States and British naval forces, who engaged in a significant defense operation to neutralize these threats. As of the latest reports, no casualties or material damage have been recorded.
The Houthis, receiving support from Iran, orchestrated this major assault despite the looming vote by the United Nations Security Council, which was set to deliberate on a resolution condemning the rebel group’s actions. The Houthis have declared their attacks as a form of resistance against Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.
This latest attack, however, has increasingly deviated from their stated objective, posing a serious threat to a vital international maritime passage that connects the Middle East and Asia with Europe. This shift in targets has heightened concerns about potential U.S. military action in Yemen, which could disrupt the fragile peace currently maintained in the nation, recognized as the poorest in the Arab world.
The offensive took place near Yemen’s coastal cities of Hodeida and Mokha, as reported by Ambrey, a private intelligence company. In Hodeida, vessels communicated over radio about witnessing missiles and drones, while in Mokha, similar sightings were accompanied by small tracking boats. The UK’s United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations also confirmed these incidents.
The U.S. Central Command provided a detailed account of the Houthi’s “complex attack,” which included drones loaded with explosives, anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and other U.S. and UK warships played a crucial role in intercepting these threats.
Grant Shapps, the British Defense Secretary, emphasized the scale of this attack as the largest of its kind by the Houthis in the Red Sea. He underscored the UK’s commitment to countering these illegal attacks and protecting global economic interests.
The Houthi group, a Shiite faction controlling Yemen’s capital since 2014, officially claimed responsibility for this operation. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a rebel spokesman, framed the attack as a response to U.S. actions against Houthi forces and as a measure to restrict Israeli maritime operations.
The ongoing conflict, which includes the Israel-Hamas war, is now influencing the security of the Red Sea, a critical global trade route. The narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait in this sea is a strategic chokepoint for oil transport and global trade, underscoring the international implications of these attacks.
A U.S. draft resolution presented to the U.N. Security Council highlights the disruptive impact of the Houthi attacks on global commerce and maritime security. The resolution calls for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship linked to an Israeli company, seized by the Houthis in November.
As the international community braces for potential retaliatory actions, the ongoing conflict in Yemen, coupled with the delicate cease-fire agreement, stands on a precipice, with the potential to escalate tensions further in the region and involve Iran more directly in the conflict.
For more detailed coverage, refer to the article titled “US, UK Defend Against Largest Houthi Red Sea Barrage Yet” on Newsmax.com.
