The US military clashed with Yemen’s Houthis in the Red Sea on Sunday, resulting in the sinking of three Houthi vessels and the death of 10 individuals. Tensions in the region have been escalating due to the US-backed Israeli offensive in Gaza.
The confrontation occurred when four Houthi boats launched an attack on the container ship Maersk Hangzhou, which had previously been hit by a missile. Upon receiving a distress call from the Hangzhou, helicopters from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower intervened and engaged with the Houthi boats. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that while issuing verbal warnings, the Houthi boats fired upon the US helicopters, prompting the navy helicopters to return fire in self-defense.
The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, confirmed the incident and stated that at least 10 of their naval personnel were killed. They have been targeting Israel-affiliated ships in protest of the Gaza assault and have vowed to stand firm in the face of the US Navy.
The Houthis argued that the attacked boats were fulfilling their duty to prevent Israeli vessels from passing through the Red Sea en route to occupied Palestine. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, criticized the US, stating that it bears the consequences of this crime and emphasizing that Yemen will continue to support the oppressed in Palestine and Gaza.
Furthermore, a report from The Times of London suggested that the US and the UK were considering direct strikes on the Houthis, potentially via airstrikes in Yemen. Such actions would jeopardize the fragile peace in Yemen that has held between the Houthis and the US-backed Saudi-led coalition since April 2022.
The report mentioned that the US and the UK are expected to issue a statement warning the Houthis to cease their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea or face military action from the West.
Despite being often labeled as rebels in Western media, the Houthis have maintained control over Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since 2014 and govern regions where the majority of Yemen’s population resides.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the situation remains unpredictable. The clash between the US military and the Houthis underscores the complex dynamics and interconnectedness of conflicts in the Middle East.
It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what actions will be taken by the international community to de-escalate tensions and address the underlying issues driving the conflicts in the region.
