On Monday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched an attack on two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Stockdale and USS Spruance, as they were passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The rebels targeted the ships with at least eight drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and three anti-ship cruise missiles.
Despite the intense barrage, the Pentagon confirmed that no damage occurred, and no personnel were injured. The incoming projectiles were successfully intercepted, preventing any casualties or damage to the vessels.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a crucial waterway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, through which about $1 trillion in goods pass annually. Houthi forces have targeted shipping in the region for months, especially in response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Their attacks, aimed at disrupting international shipping and pressuring nations involved in the Middle East, have led to a significant reduction in shipping traffic. The Houthis have also claimed that the attacks will continue as long as the wars in Gaza and Lebanon persist.
In retaliation, the U.S. and its partners have conducted numerous airstrikes against Houthi launch sites and weapons caches. An international coalition has also been established to protect commercial vessels passing through the region.
Houthi Rebels Target U.S. Navy Destroyers with Drones and Missiles in Bab el-Mandeb Strait
However, these measures have not stopped the Houthi attacks, which have targeted more than 90 merchant ships since October 2023. The rebels continue to assert that their actions are directed at vessels linked to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K., although many of the affected ships have no direct ties to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In addition to military action, the Houthis have allegedly been extorting shipping companies for protection in the Red Sea, with estimates suggesting that they may be collecting around $180 million a month from these illegal fees.
This claim was made by a U.N. panel of experts, which noted that the Houthis had sent threatening emails to shipping companies, leading some vessels to come under attack. Although the Houthis have not publicly addressed the extortion allegations, the international community has expressed concern about their tactics.
The Houthi attacks on maritime vessels have notably decreased since late October, although they have continued to target ships and launch missiles toward Israel. The U.S. has used stealth bombers to strike Houthi positions, including underground bunkers, in an effort to curb their attacks. Despite these military actions, the Houthis remain defiant, and their targeting of maritime traffic continues to be a significant challenge for global shipping and security in the region.
