In a recent incident, a U.S. Navy destroyer successfully intercepted drones and a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, while Iran has announced plans to seize a $50 million cargo of Kuwaiti crude oil destined for an American energy firm.
What Happened: The U.S. Navy destroyer, USS Carney, a part of the U.S.-led campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, was targeted by the rebels on Tuesday. The assault involved bomb-carrying drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile, as reported by CBS News on Wednesday.
Iran, the primary supporter of the Houthis, declared on Wednesday that it would confiscate a $50 million cargo of Kuwaiti crude oil destined for Chevron Corp. This cargo has been aboard a tanker that was seized by Iranian forces nearly a year ago. The seizure announcement was based on a court order over U.S. sanctions that allegedly prohibited the importation of a Swedish medicine used to treat patients with a rare genetic condition.
The U.S. military’s Central Command also reported a third suspected Houthi attack on Wednesday, 57 nautical miles south of Aden, on the southern Yemeni coast. This attack was confirmed by the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, with an explosion reported near a vessel.
Despite U.S.-led airstrikes for over a month and a half, the Houthi rebels have continued to launch significant attacks. They have targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, including those carrying cargo for Iran and an aid ship bound for Houthi-controlled territory.
Why It Matters: The ongoing conflict with Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has been a significant concern for the U.S. military. In a recent interview, a top U.S. Navy admiral revealed that the ongoing conflict with Houthi rebels in the Red Sea is the most extensive naval battle the U.S. has faced since World War II. This has led to the deployment of around 7,000 sailors to the Red Sea, making it the largest naval engagement for the U.S. since World War II.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in and around the Red Sea, citing self-defense and solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The rebels have linked their ongoing attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea to the Israeli “aggression” in Gaza. They have stated that they will only reassess their attacks if the Israeli siege of Gaza ends and humanitarian aid is allowed to enter.
The recent attack on the USS Carney involved bomb-carrying drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile. The U.S. military’s Central Command later launched an airstrike, destroying three anti-ship missiles and three bomb-carrying drone boats in Yemen. This incident underscores the continued threat posed by the Houthi rebels, despite ongoing U.S.-led airstrikes.
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