The U.S. Navy is currently engaged in intense sea battles with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. This conflict has escalated with daily attacks by the Houthis targeting both military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, impacting shipping volumes crucial for the Suez Canal route. The U.S. Navy had prepared for potential combat with global superpowers such as the Soviet Union, Russia, and China, but now finds itself facing a shadowy rebel group. The ongoing campaign against the Houthis has become the most intense sea battle the Navy has faced since World War II.
The Houthis claim their attacks are aimed at stopping the war in Gaza and supporting Palestinians, although they are also attempting to strengthen their position in Yemen. The warfare is expected to intensify, posing risks to U.S. sailors, allies, and commercial vessels. The Navy faces the challenge of defending against a seemingly inexhaustible supply of drones, missiles, and other weaponry used by the Houthis. The continued attacks by the rebels have seen over 50 vessels targeted and a decline in shipping volume in the Red Sea corridor leading to the Suez Canal.
Sea combat in the Middle East remains perilous for the Navy, with the Houthis launching missiles, drones, and other attacks on a near-daily basis in various sea routes. The U.S. Navy faces the most sustained combat since World War II, with the Houthis evolving into a more capable and competent force. The Navy works to prevent substantial damage from the attacks, engaging in daily firefights to protect ships and commercial vessels in the region from Houthi aggression.
The destruction caused by the ongoing conflict is not limited to the sea, as the U.S.-led campaign has conducted numerous airstrikes targeting Houthi positions inside Yemen. The Navy has taken out underwater bomb-carrying drones and faces threats from surface-to-air missile systems deployed by the rebels. While the U.S. Navy and its allies continue to patrol the waterways, there is a risk of the conflict spilling over into other areas, including air warfare, with both sides engaging in airstrikes.
The U.S. Navy faces challenges in determining the appropriate level of response to the Houthi attacks, with crew members expressing frustration over the perceived lack of a stronger military response. The White House has not given the Houthi campaign the same level of attention as negotiations surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. There are concerns about escalating tensions with Iran, as well as the complicated geopolitical landscape in the region where the Houthis are engaged in a wider stalemate with a Saudi-led coalition.
While the U.S. Navy continues to patrol the waters, the conflict with the Houthis has impacted shipping and trade routes in the region. Revenue for countries like Egypt from the Suez Canal has halved since the attacks began, demonstrating the economic consequences of the ongoing conflict. Despite efforts to de-escalate tensions and seek peace deals, the conflict with the Houthis remains a significant challenge for the U.S. Navy and its allies operating in the region.
