Tensions are on the rise in the Red Sea as Yemen’s Houthi rebels have taken credit for launching a missile strike on a United States aircraft carrier. The action comes in retaliation for lethal US and British assaults on Yemen.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier was targeted by the Houthi rebels, who have been engaged in an ongoing conflict with Yemeni and international forces. The attack comes after the Houthi-controlled Al Masirah television reported at least 16 casualties resulting from US and UK assaults on the Hodeidah province. This marks the highest publicly acknowledged death toll from multiple rounds of strikes over the group’s assault on shipping.
The Houthi movement, an Iran-aligned group controlling much of Yemen, has been a strong supporter of Palestinians during Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza. In recent months, they have repeatedly launched drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb strait, and the Gulf of Aden. Their demands include an end to the war in Gaza and an assertion of their control over key maritime routes.
International Response
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that they successfully destroyed eight uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and over the Red Sea. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the military action as a form of “self-defense in the face of an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose.”
These attacks have disrupted global trade and caused concern among shipping companies and oil giants. The Red Sea remains a critical maritime route, and any escalation in tensions could have far-reaching consequences for supply chains and regional security.
As the situation continues to evolve, international actors are closely monitoring developments in the Red Sea. The delicate balance between self-defense and potential escalation remains a challenge for all involved parties.