Additional Coverage:
- US Navy faces ‘most intense combat since World War II’ against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, defense experts say (newsbreak.com)
On June 12, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was observed navigating the Red Sea, highlighting the ongoing tension in the area.
The United States’ involvement in combating the Houthi rebels in Yemen is reportedly the most significant military engagement since World War II, a claim backed by several experts who spoke to the Associated Press. The struggle includes not just traditional warfare but also involves the Houthis’ strategic use of missile and drone attacks on maritime vessels to exert pressure on Israel and Western interests concerning the Gaza conflict.
Since October, there have been reported over 53 instances of Houthi attacks on commercial ships and numerous threats to naval craft, emphasizing a pattern of aggression that aims to compromise maritime security in the Red Sea. This aggression led to the deployment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, which has since expended over 500 munitions in its efforts to counter the Houthi threat, as detailed in a Business Insider report from May 23.
In a recent operation, the United States targeted Houthi radar installations and unmanned maritime and aerial drones, which are critical components of the Houthis’ capacity to launch attacks on sea vessels. These concerted strikes were in response to Houthi provocations that had seen merchant vessels targeted and the disappearance of a sailor, illustrating the high stakes involved in securing the maritime routes against such threats.
The engagement with the Houthi forces is described as unrelenting and demanding, with continuous vigilance required to mitigate the threat of incoming strikes. This heightened state of readiness underscores the gravity of the situation as shared by the naval personnel involved, pointing to the relentless nature of the conflict and the considerable strain it places on US resources. Notably, the financial toll of the ongoing operations has been substantial, with expenditures on munitions topping $1 billion as of mid-April, a figure that has likely risen since.
The attacks by the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, involve a sophisticated arsenal including anti-ship missiles, drones, and unmanned surface vessels, revealing a complex and dangerous threat landscape. Amidst this tense backdrop, the conflict appears poised to continue, with intelligence warnings suggesting sustained Houthi activity and no clear end in sight to the hostilities. This ongoing conflict underscores the intricate dynamics of regional power plays and the extensive efforts required to maintain security in pivotal maritime corridors.