Global shipping giant Maersk has announced a suspension of operations in the Red Sea for 48 hours after an attack on one of its container ships. The United States military has confirmed that it sunk three boats belonging to Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. The attack occurred as US warships, the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely, responded to a distress call from the Singapore-flagged vessel Maersk Hangzhou. The US helicopters engaged in self-defense, sinking three of the Houthi boats and killing several crew members. Maersk Hangzhou had issued a distress call after being fired upon and nearly boarded by the Houthi boats. A fourth boat managed to escape. The incident marks the second attack on the Maersk Hangzhou by the Houthis in less than 24 hours.
The attacks have raised concerns about the safety of commercial vessels in the region, prompting Maersk to suspend operations temporarily. The Houthi group, which is believed to be backed by Iran, has not yet commented on the incidents. They have been targeting vessels they perceive to be linked to Israel in the Red Sea. This has led major shipping companies, including Maersk, to avoid the waterway. The Houthis have stated that they will continue their strikes until Israeli attacks on Gaza cease.
In response to these ongoing threats, the United States announced a global naval task force on December 19 to protect shipping in the region. However, only the United Kingdom has contributed warships to the coalition out of the 20 countries that have agreed to support it. This has left the US largely acting alone against the Houthis. The lack of naval presence has allowed the Houthis to continue their attacks, with their use of anti-ship ballistic missiles becoming increasingly frequent.
The recent clash between the US and the Houthis represents a serious escalation. While the US has been unable to deter the Houthis thus far, their actions in sinking Houthi boats and killing fighters have sparked panic among Yemenis. There are concerns that the conflict could spill over into Yemen, leading to further regional instability.
These events in the Red Sea are occurring alongside the ongoing devastation in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians, including many children, have been killed in Israeli military attacks. The US has been a strong supporter of Israel throughout the conflict and has faced over 100 attacks from Iran-backed groups in Syria and Iraq. There are now concerns that the Houthis may target crucial submarine communications cables in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which power internet networks. Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated its commitment to protecting these networks, clarifying that ships belonging to international companies licensed by Maritime Affairs are not affected by Yemen’s decision to prevent the passage of Israeli enemy ships.
The situation in the Red Sea remains tense, with the US military’s efforts to counter the Houthi threat facing significant challenges. The ongoing conflict in the region and the potential for further escalation continue to be sources of concern for both regional stability and international trade.
