Yemen's Houthi rebels claim to have attacked a U.S. Navy mobile base at sea on Monday, targeting the USS Lewis B. Puller in the Gulf of Aden. However, this assertion has been vehemently denied by an American defense official. Houthis' military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated that they had fired a missile at the floating landing base, which had previously been stationed in the Arabian Sea to counter Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
In response to the alleged attack, Saree declared that Houthi assaults would persist until the 'aggression is stopped' and the 'siege is lifted on the people of Palestine in the Gaza Strip.' It is worth noting that the Houthi group often launches missiles that fail to reach their intended targets, often crashing onto land or at sea.
Interestingly, the USS Lewis B. Puller recently served as a mobile base for the U.S. Navy SEALs who conducted an operation on January 11. During the mission, they seized Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missile components believed to be destined for Yemen. Unfortunately, two SEALs went missing during the operation and are presumed dead.
The Houthi rebels have been targeting ships in the Red Sea since November, initially as a response to Israel's offensive on Hamas in Gaza. However, their attacks have often targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, jeopardizing shipping in a crucial trade route connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
In a recent incident on Friday, the Houthis hit a commercial vessel with a missile, causing a fire that burned for several hours. These reckless actions pose a significant threat to maritime security and the global trade network.
While the Houthi rebels continue to assert their attacks on ships, it is essential to await further verification and evidence regarding their claims of targeting the U.S. Navy mobile base. As tensions persist in the region, it is crucial for all parties involved to engage in peaceful dialogue and seek diplomatic solutions to mitigate the risks to maritime security and ensure the free flow of trade.
