In response to ongoing assaults on shipping in the Red Sea corridor by Yemen's Houthi rebels, the United States military has launched a series of attacks targeting radar sites operated by the rebels. The attacks were prompted by a recent incident where a merchant sailor went missing following a Houthi strike on a ship.
The US Navy is currently facing heightened combat activity as it seeks to counter the Houthi campaign, which the rebels claim is aimed at halting the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. However, the Houthi assaults have resulted in the targeting of ships and sailors unrelated to the conflict, leading to disruptions in the vital cargo and energy shipments between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
The US Central Command confirmed that seven radar sites within Houthi-controlled territory were destroyed in the attacks. Additionally, two bomb-laden drone boats and a drone launched by the Houthis over the Red Sea were also destroyed by US forces.
Despite the US military actions, the Houthis have not acknowledged the strikes or reported any military losses. The rebels have been the target of US airstrikes since earlier this year.
One commercial sailor from the bulk cargo carrier Tutor remains missing after a Houthi attack using a bomb-carrying drone boat. The crew was rescued by USS Philippine Sea and partner forces, while the Tutor is currently taking on water in the Red Sea.
According to the US Maritime Administration, the Houthis have carried out over 50 attacks on shipping, resulting in casualties and the seizure of vessels. The ongoing conflict has also impacted international commerce, making it difficult to deliver aid to the people of Yemen and Gaza.
The situation in the Gaza Strip has escalated, with thousands of Palestinians killed and many more injured in the conflict between Hamas-led militants and Israel. The Houthis' actions, purportedly in support of Palestinians in Gaza, have raised concerns about the safety of third-country nationals and the disruption of humanitarian assistance efforts.
