U.S. officials have stated that the military is planning a response to the attacks carried out by Houthi militants in Yemen against commercial ships navigating through the strategic maritime corridor of the Red Sea. Politico reported these officials saying that the plans may include targeting the Houthi positions in Yemen as a countermeasure against the potential for the ongoing Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip to evolve into a protracted regional dispute. They pointed out that President Joe Biden's administration is engaging in discussions on scenarios that could potentially draw Washington into warfare in the Middle East.
Behind the scenes since the outbreak of war in Gaza, the U.S. has been pressing Iran to persuade its proxies to scale back their attacks. However, there are no indications that these groups are reducing their assaults, raising concerns about an expanded scope of conflict following recent confrontations in Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran.
Unmanned Boat Attack
The U.S. Navy clarified that on Thursday a Houthi-controlled unmanned boat loaded with explosives detonated in the Red Sea. Fortunately, the blast did not result in any damage or casualties.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of the U.S. Navy in the Middle East, stated that the Houthi explosive-laden boat traveled approximately 80 kilometers through the Red Sea before detonating in busy shipping lanes.
Cooper revealed that since November 18, the Houthis have carried out 25 attacks in the Red Sea, and for the first time yesterday, they deployed an unmanned warship.
He emphasized that Houthi aggression in the Red Sea persists with no signs of a decrease in what he described as their irresponsible behavior. He noted that the Houthis have targeted 12 ships that had no connection to Israel.
Since November 19, 2023, in response to Israel's three-month-long aggression in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have launched a series of drone and missile strikes against Israeli or Israel-bound commercial ships.
Disruption and Suspension
The Houthi attacks have caused disruptions in international shipping and led some companies to suspend transit operations through the Red Sea, opting instead for a longer and more costly route around Africa.
According to Reuters, the repeated Houthi attacks have increased pressure on the American President to respond militarily, a move his administration hesitates to make due to fears of escalating an already tense regional conflict.
In December of last year, the United States and other countries launched "Operation Prosperity Guardian" to protect ships targeted by the Houthis in the Red Sea.
