The US military has launched a series of attacks on radar facilities belonging to the Houthi rebels in Yemen who have been targeting ships in the Red Sea. A sailor is missing after a Houthi attack on a merchant ship.
According to the US Central Command for the Middle East (CENTCOM), seven radar systems in rebel-controlled territory were destroyed. “These radars enable the Houthis to attack ships and pose a risk to commercial navigation,” a CENTCOM statement said. In another action, the US destroyed two bomb-laden drones in the Red Sea and a drone launched by the Houthis over the waterway, according to the statement.
The Houthis, who have controlled the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, since 2014, have not acknowledged the attacks or military losses. A crew member of the Liberian-flagged and Greek-owned bulk carrier Tutor remains missing after a Houthi attack. During the Wednesday attack, the Tutor was hit by a bomb-laden drone. “The crew abandoned the ship and was rescued by the USS Philippine Sea and partner forces,” CENTCOM said. “The Tutor is still in the Red Sea and is slowly taking on water.”
According to the US Maritime Administration, the Houthis have carried out over 50 ship attacks since November, killing three sailors, capturing one ship, and sinking another. The Houthis have been the target of a US-led airstrike campaign since January, with at least 16 people killed and 42 others injured in a series of attacks on May 30, according to the rebels.
“The Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza, but they are targeting and threatening the lives of citizens from third countries who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza,” CENTCOM emphasized. “The ongoing threat to international trade by the Houthis is actually hindering the delivery of much-needed aid to the populations of Yemen and Gaza.”
The situation in Yemen remains volatile as the conflict between the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government continues to escalate. The US military’s recent actions highlight the ongoing challenges in the region and the impact on international maritime trade. As tensions persist, it is crucial for all parties involved to seek peaceful resolutions to avoid further harm to innocent civilians and disruption to vital aid efforts in the region.
