Houthi Rebels Escalate Confrontation with US Navy, Targeting Warship in Gulf of Aden
In a significant escalation of the ongoing confrontation at sea between the US Navy and Houthi rebels, a missile fired by the rebels targeted a US warship in the Gulf of Aden. The warship was compelled to shoot down the projectile to protect itself. This incident marks the first time the Houthis have directly targeted a US warship since they commenced their attacks on shipping in October.
The Houthi rebels, who have been engaged in a protracted conflict in Yemen, have been resorting to attacking vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters. A British vessel was also recently struck by a Houthi missile in the Gulf of Aden. The rebels, however, denied responsibility for the attack on the US warship while acknowledging the missile attack on the commercial vessel.
Interestingly, the US military described the attack on the warship as the Houthis firing “toward” the ship instead of directly at it. This phrasing has drawn criticism, with analysts arguing that it has emboldened the rebels. The recent attacks on ships have disrupted global trade and have been described as the worst since the “Tanker War” of the 1980s.
The US and its allies had refrained from striking Houthi weapons sites in Yemen until recently, but they have now decided to take regular action. The escalation in attacks against shipping, coupled with the rebels’ claim that they are avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas, has raised concerns. The Houthi rebels frequently target vessels with no apparent links to Israel.
The US military confirmed that the vessel struck by the Houthi missile was a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker. As tensions escalate, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether further measures will be taken to contain the Houthi threats in maritime areas.
