In an ongoing series of attacks, Houthi rebels from Yemen, with backing from Iran, have launched at least 100 assaults on 10 merchant vessels in the Red Sea. The motive behind these attacks seems to be their distress over the Israel-Hamas conflict. With the situation escalating, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has outlined the United States' plans to combat this threat.
Termed 'Operation Prosperity Guardian,' the US military aims to address the alarming issue of Houthi attacks in a steadfast manner. Criticism, however, has surfaced, suggesting that not enough has been done to curb these attacks. One critique boldly questioned the Biden administration's inaction, accusing President Biden of failing to respond to the humiliating exploits of the Iran-backed Houthis.
Secretary Austin acknowledged the aptness of this critique, emphasizing that during their tenure, the previous administration designated the Houthis as terrorists. He stressed that the Houthis are, without a doubt, engaging in terrorist activities against commercial transportation routes through the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and the Bab el-Mandeb. Contrarily, the Biden administration revoked their terrorist designation, pursuing a defensive stance by neutralizing Iranian drones in the Red Sea.
To address this increasingly grave international crisis, Operation Prosperity Guardian has been launched, with over a dozen countries coming together to conduct joint patrols in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Ultimately, it becomes evident that this is an Iranian operation, much like the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th. The root cause lies in Tehran, necessitating imposing significant costs on Iran to resolve the issue.
Secretary Austin further emphasized the impact of these ongoing attacks on commercial shipping. He highlighted a recent interview with a senior leader from Maersk, a prominent shipping company, who warned of potential cost increases. The consequences of these attacks are not limited to the shipping industry, as they will inevitably hit consumers worldwide.
The Biden administration has a crucial opportunity to address this issue effectively. However, Secretary Austin expressed concern about their willingness to deter Iran's actions, citing a lack of evidence to support their commitment. To rectify the situation, he recommended re-designating the Houthis as terrorists and holding Iranian leadership accountable for their role in the escalating attacks.
The perplexing decision to de-designate the Houthis has puzzled many observers. Speculation suggests that this move was made in an attempt to negotiate a deal on the nuclear issue with what the administration believed to be moderate elements within Iran. Unfortunately, these negotiation efforts have been in vain, leading to an increase in Americans being held hostage by Iran.
The fundamental misunderstanding of the Iranian regime's true nature resulted in the de-designation of the Houthis. It is now imperative to re-evaluate this stance, re-designate the Houthis as terrorists, and take aggressive measures against the Iranian leadership to put an end to these attacks.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging swift and robust action to counter the growing threat posed by the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
