U.S. scrambles to rescue Danish shipping company
Sunk 3 ships and killed 10 people.
Britain also considers Houthi attacks to protect the Red Sea
World’s second-largest shipping company “suspension of operations for 48 hours”
The United States attacked the ships of Yemen’s Shia rebels, the Houthis, who have supported Hamas ever since the outbreak of war between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas, in the Red Sea, killing at least 10 Houthi members and sinking three ships. This is the first time that the United States has directly engaged in combat with the Houthis since the start of the Middle East war in October last year.
In the meantime, the Houthis have constantly attacked civilian ships from major Western countries passing through the Red Sea, claiming that they are a force that supports Israel and oppresses the Palestinians. As a result, major shipping companies in each country are abandoning the Red Sea route one after another, and the security threat in the area is increasing, and it is interpreted that the United States has drawn its own sword. Britain is also considering Houthi attacks.
On December 31 of last year, the U.S. Central Command announced through social media At that time, four Houthi small ships approached the Hangzhou up to 20 meters, threatened it by firing small firearms, and attempted to board it.
The United States immediately dispatched helicopters from the aircraft carrier ‘Eisenhower’ and the destroyer ‘Gravely’. Central Command said, “As the Houthi vessel fired at the US helicopter that gave a verbal warning, we responded in self-defense. “We sank three of the four ships and the other escaped,” he said. AFP and other news agencies reported that at least 10 Houthis were killed and two injured in the fighting.
The Houthis, like Hamas, receive full support from Iran. Since the outbreak of the Middle East war, Western civilian ships passing through the Red Sea have been attacked at least 23 times. Maersk, the world’s second-largest shipping company, announced, “We will completely suspend operations on the Red Sea route for the next 48 hours.”
Despite the loss of crews and ships to the United States, Houthi attacks are expected to continue. According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, on December 31 last year, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, chairman of the Supreme National Security Council (NSC), Iran’s intelligence chief, met with Houthi spokesman Muhammad Abdulsalam in the capital Tehran. There is speculation that the two men likely discussed Iran’s additional support for the Houthis.
In response, the Telegraph reported that British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps is considering airstrikes targeting the Houthis to eliminate the threat from the Red Sea. However, America’s dilemma is growing. Further fighting with the Houthis is likely to lead to further intervention by Iran. Additionally, at a time when the cost burden of two wars is already enormous, a confrontation with the Houthis could add to the burden. There is also a risk that the behind-the-scenes efforts to mediate peace negotiations between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia will be in vain.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.