US Military Observes Houthi Unmanned Underwater Vessel in Red Sea for the First Time
On Sunday, US Central Command reported that the US military executed five defensive strikes in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled regions on Saturday, which included targeting an unmanned underwater vessel.
CENTCOM noted that Saturday’s occurrence marked the initial observation of Houthi utilization of an unmanned underwater vessel since hostilities in the Red Sea region commenced in October.
During the timeframe of 3 p.m. to 8 pm local time on Saturday, the military also conducted defensive strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and an unmanned surface vessel.
Houthis Target Ships with Drones and Missiles
In recent months, the Houthis have launched a barrage of drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles, aiming at numerous vessels and disrupting a vital international shipping passage.
At the onset of their attacks, the Houthis declared their intention to only engage ships associated with Israel.
On January 11, the US and British militaries, in collaboration with other allies, initiated the first retaliatory strikes in response to Houthi assaults.
Subsequently, several days later, the US government reclassified the Houthi movement as a terrorist organization in light of the group’s intensified attacks in the Red Sea region.
Essential Sea Route: Red Sea Commerce
The Red Sea, a crucial maritime thoroughfare connecting Europe and Asia, is a principal route frequented by commercial vessels.
In light of safety concerns, numerous companies have opted to circumvent this area.
Several shipping titans, including CMA CGM, Equinor, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, Orient Overseas, and ZIM, have announced their intentions to avoid traversing the Red Sea amid ongoing violence.
In December, energy conglomerate BP disclosed the suspension of gas and oil shipments in the region. Additionally, Ikea had cautioned of potential shortages as shipping entities sought alternative routes.
During a recent UN Security Council Briefing on Yemen, U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood addressed this matter, highlighting that redirecting ships around Africa results in approximately 10 days of added transit time and an additional $1 million in fuel expenses for each one-way voyage between Asia and Europe.
