In a dramatic turn of events in the Red Sea, the U.S. Navy has confirmed its first direct confrontation with Houthi rebels, resulting in the sinking of three rebel boats and the loss of all onboard. The incident occurred after an Iranian-backed Houthi attack on a Maersk merchant vessel passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, near Yemen.
According to reports, the merchant vessel was hit by an unidentified object but managed to continue its course. However, four boats carrying Houthi militants attempted to approach and board the vessel, opening fire in the process. Maersk issued a distress call to the U.S. military, which promptly responded by deploying helicopters from the aircraft carrier Eisenhower and a Navy destroyer.
As the Houthi rebels began firing at the helicopters, the U.S. military retaliated in self-defense. This resulted in the sinking of three rebel boats and the loss of all personnel on board. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that the actions were taken to protect their forces.
The incident marks a significant escalation of the conflict, as it represents the first time the U.S. military has engaged and killed Houthi militants directly. The ongoing attacks by the Houthi rebels on commercial shipping in the region have led Maersk to reassess the security of the area, causing a temporary pause in their operations in the Southern Red Sea.
To combat the increasing threat, the U.S. has deployed a multinational maritime coalition known as Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Southern Red Sea. However, the Houthi rebels have shown little regard for the presence of this coalition and continue to attack ships in an act of solidarity with the Palestinians.
The United States, meanwhile, has reaffirmed its stance of seeking to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby emphasized that the U.S. does not seek a wider conflict with the Houthis.
The Houthi rebels, undeterred by the multinational presence, have remained resolute in their attacks. Their continued aggression has compelled coalition forces to engage with defensive measures, including shooting down missiles and drones launched by the rebels.
As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely to see if the U.S. will take further action in striking the Houthi rebels directly within Yemen. The situation remains dynamic and unpredictable, with the potential for wider implications in the region.
