Destroyers Defend Commercial Ships Against Houthi Attacks
On Sunday, December 3, 2023, a series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted three commercial ships and a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Red Sea, near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The attacks involved ballistic missiles and drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and were claimed by the rebel group as a response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The U.S. military said the attacks were “fully enabled by Iran” and posed a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security.
The USS Carney’s Response
The USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, was the first to detect and respond to the attacks. According to U.S. Central Command, the Carney shot down three drones that were headed in its direction, as well as a ballistic missile that was fired at the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer. The Carney also assisted the other two commercial ships that were hit by missiles, the Panamanian-flagged Number 9 and Sophie II, which reported minor or no significant damage. The Carney, which has previously intercepted rockets fired by the Houthis toward Israel, was not damaged or targeted in the attacks, and no injuries were reported on board.
The Houthi’s Motives
The Houthi rebels, who have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen since 2015, have claimed responsibility for several attacks on ships and oil facilities in the region, as well as cross-border strikes into Saudi Arabia. The Houthis are backed by Iran, which has been accused of supplying them with weapons and technology, including drones and missiles. The Houthis have also expressed solidarity with Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that has been engaged in a fierce conflict with Israel since November 2023. The Houthis said they targeted two Israeli ships in the Red Sea, namely the Unity Explorer and the Number 9, as a warning to Israel and its allies. However, it is unclear if the ships had any connection to Israel, and the Israeli government has not commented on the attacks.
The Implications for the Region
The attacks on Sunday highlighted the volatility and vulnerability of the Red Sea, a vital waterway for global trade and energy supplies. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where the attacks occurred, is a narrow chokepoint that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. About 4.8 million barrels of oil and refined petroleum products pass through the strait every day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The strait is also a transit route for ships carrying goods and humanitarian aid to and from Yemen, where millions of people are facing famine and disease due to the war. The attacks also raised the stakes for the ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war, which has killed hundreds of civilians and displaced thousands more in Gaza and Israel. The U.S. and other countries have been trying to broker a ceasefire and a political solution, but the parties have not agreed on the terms and conditions. The U.S. has also been seeking to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which has been strained by the Trump administration’s withdrawal and the subsequent sanctions and tensions. The U.S. has said it will consider “all appropriate responses” to the Houthi attacks, while urging all parties to exercise restraint and avoid escalation.
