The U.S. military has launched a series of strikes against radar sites operated by Yemen’s Houthi rebels after a merchant sailor and a boat went missing in the Red Sea earlier this week. This move marks an escalation in the U.S. Navy’s ongoing efforts to secure one of the world’s most critical maritime routes amid increasing threats from the Iran-backed rebel group.
The strikes targeted several radar installations that the Houthis have used to launch missiles and drones at commercial vessels, posing a significant threat to maritime navigation. The Pentagon confirmed that seven radar sites within Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen were destroyed within a 24-hour period. Additionally, the U.S. military took out two drone boats and an aerial drone launched by the Houthis over the Red Sea.
The merchant sailor, who is from the Philippines, was aboard the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo ship Tutor when it was struck by a Houthi-deployed drone on Wednesday. The crew abandoned the ship and were rescued by the USS Philippine Sea and partner forces, but the Tutor remains in the Red Sea, taking on water.
The Houthis have claimed their attacks on vessels are aimed at protesting Israel’s military actions in Gaza and supporting the Palestinians. However, these attacks have often targeted ships and sailors with no direct connection to the conflict in Gaza. Since November, the Houthis have launched over 50 attacks on shipping vessels, significantly disrupting maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
Photos from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in the Southern Red Sea, following the Evacuation of 24 Crewmembers yesterday from the Liberian-Flagged, Greek-Owned Bulk Cargo Ship, M/V Tutor by MH-60R “Seahawk” Helicopters with the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike… pic.twitter.com/euMGYtc9hg
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 16, 2024
The ongoing conflict has halved the traffic through the Red Sea, a vital corridor for global trade, linking Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The attacks have raised concerns about the security of international shipping lanes and the economic impact of such disruptions. Despite the high cost of defense measures, the U.S. Navy continues to shoot down Houthi drones on a near-daily basis to ensure the safety of maritime operations.
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