The Iran-backed Houthis have launched more than 190 attacks on commercial shipping and US Navy assets in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, according to Pentagon officials. These attacks have caused significant disruptions and raised concerns about maritime security in the region.
Recent incidents include the targeting of the M/V Tutor, a bulk cargo carrier, by a Houthi uncrewed surface vessel, which led to the crew abandoning the ship and one mariner going missing. Another bulk cargo carrier, the M/V Verbena, was also struck in two missile attacks, resulting in serious injuries to at least one civilian mariner.
Despite these attacks, the Pentagon has defended US efforts in the region as successful in countering the Houthi threat. Pentagon officials highlighted that while some attacks have caused damage and loss of life, the majority of the attempted attacks have been intercepted or thwarted.
The Houthis have been responsible for numerous missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, particularly following Israel's invasion of Gaza in response to Hamas' actions. These attacks have forced major shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through key maritime trade routes, potentially impacting the global economy.
Believed to be armed and trained by Iran, the Houthi attacks have raised concerns about the possibility of a wider regional conflict. The ongoing tensions in the region underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics at play and the challenges of ensuring maritime security in critical waterways.
