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Yemen Rebels Claim Attacks on Ships in Red Sea

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Andrew R. Michaud

• December 03, 2023

An American warship and several commercial vessels were attacked on Sunday in the Red Sea, according to the Pentagon. Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attacks on two ships, which they say are connected to Israel. However, they have not acknowledged targeting a U.S. Navy vessel.

This incident potentially represents a significant escalation in a string of maritime attacks in the Middle East that have been linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The Pentagon is closely monitoring the situation and has promised to provide updates as more information becomes available.

The targeted warship, the USS Carney, is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The British military has also reported a suspected drone attack and explosions in the Red Sea but has not yet provided further details.

While the origin of the attack remains unknown, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree has claimed responsibility for the attacks. He stated that the first vessel was hit by a missile and the second by a drone in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

Notably, Saree made no mention of any U.S. warship being involved in the incident. He emphasized that the attacks would continue as long as Israel maintains its military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

These recent attacks are part of a series of Houthi offensives in the Red Sea, including missile strikes and drone attacks on Israeli targets, in response to the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

The situation is rapidly evolving, and further developments are expected in the coming days.

Rising Threat to Global Shipping in Yemen

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has escalated the risk of seaborne attacks on global shipping. Despite a brief truce that temporarily halted hostilities and led to a hostage exchange, the collapse of the ceasefire has reignited the danger of maritime assaults.

Attack on U.S. Interception Carney

According to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, an attack launched in Sanaa, Yemen, lasted for up to five hours. The USS Carney intercepted at least one drone during the assault.

Yemen's Impact on Shipping Routes

In a recent incident, Houthi rebels in Yemen captured a vehicle transport ship connected to Israel in the Red Sea. Presently, they continue to hold the vessel near the port city of Hodeida. Additionally, there have been missile strikes close to another U.S. warship when it came to the aid of an Israeli-linked vessel briefly seized by gunmen.

Growing Maritime Conflict

While Houthis had not directly targeted Americans in recent times, the situation has changed. This intensifies the tensions in the already fraught maritime conflict. In response to missiles fired at U.S. Navy ships in 2016, the United States retaliated by launching Tomahawk cruise missiles that destroyed three coastal radar sites under Houthi control.

As global shipping faces ongoing risks, the threat level to vessels operating in the region remains high. The continuing violence in Yemen raises concerns about the safety of maritime trade and emphasizes the need for increased security measures.