Houthi threat to Israel, threatens maritime security in volatile Middle-East

The escalating threat posed by Iran-backed Houthi insurgents in the Red Sea has raised concerns about maritime security in the volatile Middle East.

The Houthis have been targeting maritime traffic bound for Israel with ballistic missiles, hijackings, and armed drones.

This has the potential to escalate the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza to the sea-lanes off the Gulf of Aden. The situation off the coast of Aden and the Red Sea is precarious, and any successful attack by the Houthis on a vessel could spark a larger conflict and disrupt global sea trade.

The international community, including the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), must take action to deter the Houthis and maintain clear sea lanes. The Indian Navy has positioned its latest guided missile destroyer, INS Mormugao, off the coast of Aden to protect maritime traffic bound for South Asia.

The recent Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea have significantly impacted international commerce and maritime security. The attacks, carried out with ballistic missiles, originated from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The USS Carney, a US Navy destroyer, engaged in defensive actions during these attacks by shooting down three Iranian-supplied Houthi drones.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that they were in retaliation to Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of maritime routes in the region and pose a direct threat to international shipping.

The US Central Command has emphasized the gravity of these attacks and is considering appropriate responses to address the threat. In response to the escalating situation, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group has been deployed in the Red Sea. This marks the first time a US aircraft carrier has been active in the Middle East since 2021.

The deployment of the Eisenhower carrier strike group, which includes the USS Philippine Sea and USS Mason, is significant and highlights the US's commitment to ensuring maritime security in the region. The presence of two US aircraft carriers operating together in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea before moving to the Red Sea demonstrates the seriousness with which the US views the situation and its determination to protect maritime interests.

Source: Hindustan Times