Yemen’s Houthi rebels have carried out their most substantial offensive to date

In a significant naval confrontation, Yemen’s Houthi rebels recently launched an extensive offensive in the Red Sea using drones and missiles. This assault, one of their largest to date, prompted defensive actions from both the U.S. and British navies. Authorities reported no immediate damage from this attack, which occurred despite a forthcoming United Nations Security Council vote intended to condemn and demand an immediate cessation of such rebel activities.

The Houthis, supported by Iran, claim their attacks are a response to Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip. However, their targets increasingly lack any direct connection to Israel and threaten a vital global trade route that connects Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This escalation poses the risk of a retaliatory U.S. strike on Yemen, potentially disrupting a fragile ceasefire in the region.

The attack unfolded near Yemen’s Hodeida and Mokha ports, as reported by Ambrey, a private intelligence firm. Witnesses described seeing missiles and drones, and nearby U.S.-allied warships advised swift navigation. The U.S. Central Command detailed the Houthi offensive as comprising bomb-laden drones, anti-ship cruise missiles, and an anti-ship ballistic missile. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and several American and British warships successfully intercepted 18 drones, two cruise missiles, and one anti-ship missile.

Central Command noted this as the 26th Houthi attack on Red Sea shipping lanes since November 19, with no injuries or damage. The United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations also confirmed the incident and advised caution for vessels in the area.

Although the Houthis, who have controlled Yemen’s capital since 2014, did not formally claim responsibility, Al Jazeera reported an anonymous Houthi military official stating they targeted an Israeli-linked ship. These attacks continue to strain the crucial maritime passage of the Red Sea, which is a key conduit for global oil trade and goods, accounting for nearly 10% of sea-traded oil and an estimated $1 trillion in annual goods.

A U.S. draft resolution at the U.N. Security Council highlighted the disruptive impact of Houthi attacks on international commerce and regional stability. The resolution demands the release of the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo ship linked to an Israeli company, seized by the Houthis in November.

The proposed resolution underscores the right of nations to defend their vessels, in line with international law. It emphasizes the need to respect navigational rights and freedoms of commercial vessels.

As the U.S.-led coalition patrols the Red Sea to prevent further attacks, concerns grow about the potential escalation of conflict. The current, fragile cease-fire between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition could be jeopardized by any broader conflict or retaliatory action from Western forces. Such developments might further draw Iran into the conflict and disrupt the tenuous peace in Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest nation.