A Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) is launched from the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gravely against what the U.S. military describe as Houthi military targets in Yemen, February 3, 2024. U.S. Central Command/Handout via REUTERS.
The Houthi rebels resumed attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden this week following a brief pause. The U.S. Central Command has reported several incidents, highlighting the Houthis’ ongoing capability and determination to continue with these attacks despite multiple military strikes by U.S. forces against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The UKTMO reported Friday a vessel reported a nearby explosion in the Red Sea approximately 70 nautical miles northwest of Al Mukha, Yemen. The vessel and crew are reported safe. The U.S. State Department said the Panamanian-flagged M/T Pollux was struck by a missile, causing minor damage. The ship was carrying crude oil bound for India.
On Thursday, February 15, an anti-ship ballistic missile was launched from Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. The intended target was the MV Lycavitos, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned and operated bulk carrier. Despite minor damage, no injuries were reported, and the ship continued its voyage.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully countered with several potential attacks, neutralizing three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
February 14 saw CENTCOM forces executing four self-defense strikes against multiple threats, including seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, three unmanned aerial vehicles, and one explosive unmanned surface vessel. Similar operations were carried out on February 13, neutralizing one mobile anti-ship cruise missile.
In another incident on February 13, an anti-ship ballistic missile was launched from Houthi-controlled areas into the Gulf of Aden. The missile was tracked by U.S. Navy ships, but no action was taken as it was not projected to impact near any ships.
Earlier incidents include the firing of two missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Bab al-Mandeb on February 12. These were targeted at MV Star Iris, a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel carrying corn from Brazil to Iran. .
The U.S. Central Command forces also conducted successful self-defense strikes on February 10 against two unmanned surface vessels and three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles in Al Hudaydah, Yemen.
The attacks this week followed a brief pause. On February 6, Houthi rebels fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles from their controlled areas toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. A new report NBC News suggests that a U.S. cyberattack on the suspected Iranian spy ship MV Behshad may have been a factor. This ship is suspected of providing targeting information to the rebels.
On February 2, the U.S. executed retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq and Syria targeting over 85 sites associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and its supported militias. The airstrikes were said to be the first wave of the United States’ response to a lethal attack in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. troops and injuries to approximately 40 others.
The incidents illustrate the ongoing volatility in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden due to continued Houthi attacks on shipping.
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