Houthi Rebels Target Commercial Ship In Gulf Of Aden

The Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is anchored in Busan, South Korea, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Song Kyung-Seok/Pool Photo via AP)

A commercial ship traveling through the Gulf of Aden recently encountered explosions near the vessel, believed to be the result of an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting the shipping lane. This incident follows the sinking of the ship Tutor earlier in the week, indicating a heightened level of aggression by the Iranian-backed Houthis in their ongoing campaign against ships in the crucial maritime corridor due to the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Reports suggest that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the aircraft carrier leading the U.S. response to the Houthi attacks, has been ordered to return home. The ship targeted on Friday witnessed explosions in its vicinity, with the crew reported safe as the vessel continued its journey to the next port of call.

The Houthis, who have controlled Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014, have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack. It is common for the rebels to delay acknowledging their assaults. The release of footage showing one of their drone boats, named 'Tufan' or 'Flood,' allegedly targeting the Tutor, further highlights the escalating nature of their attacks.

Iranian-backed Houthis show increased aggression in maritime corridor.

Houthi rebels suspected in recent ship explosions in Gulf of Aden.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower leading U.S. response to Houthi attacks.

Houthis have not claimed responsibility for recent ship attack.

Over 60 attacks on vessels by Houthis since November.

Since November, the Houthis have carried out over 60 attacks on specific vessels, as well as launching missiles and drones, resulting in the deaths of four sailors. They have also seized one vessel and sunk two others. The rebels claim that their targets are ships associated with Israel, the United States, or Britain, although many of the vessels attacked have minimal or no connection to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Amidst these developments, the U.S. Naval Institute's news service reported that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower will be returning to Norfolk, Virginia, following an intense over eight-month deployment in combat, described by the Navy as its most significant since World War II. The aircraft carrier operating in the Pacific will take the Eisenhower's place, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt currently stationed in Asia, specifically in Busan, South Korea, amidst tensions between Seoul and North Korea.