A U.S. fighter jet successfully intercepted and destroyed an anti-ship cruise missile launched by Houthi rebels towards the USS Laboon, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer patrolling the southern Red Sea. This action marks the Houthis’ first direct response to the recent series of U.S.-led drone strikes.
The U.S. military, along with its allies, commenced aerial attacks on Houthi positions last Friday, following a series of disruptive assaults by the group on maritime traffic in the Red Sea. These assaults were part of the Houthis’ reaction to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, targeting the vital shipping lane that connects Asian and Middle Eastern energy supplies to the Suez Canal.

The Houthis have targeted that crucial corridor linking Asian and Mideast energy and cargo shipments to the Suez Canal onward to Europe over the Israel-Hamas war, attacks that threaten to widen that conflict into a regional conflagration

A Shiite rebel group allied with Iran that seized Yemen’s capital in 2014, the Houthis did not immediately acknowledge the attack

The Houthis, a Shiite rebel faction aligned with Iran, have been in control of Yemen’s capital since 2014 but have not yet officially acknowledged this missile attack. Recent photographs released by the group show its members brandishing machine guns and rocket launchers and conducting drills in areas designed to mimic Israeli settlements.
President Joe Biden has emphasized his readiness to take additional actions to safeguard American personnel and ensure the unimpeded flow of international commerce, as needed. The missile launch by the Houthis originated near Hodeida, a strategic port city on the Red Sea held by the rebels. Central Command confirmed that the USS Laboon was targeted by the missile but reported no casualties or damage.

Since the initiation of the U.S.-led strikes, which have hit over 60 targets, including weapon depots, radars, and command centres, the Houthis have acknowledged minimal damage to their infrastructure and reported several casualties among their ranks. Despite these strikes, two officials indicated to the New York Times that the Houthis retain approximately 75% of their missile and drone capabilities targeting Red Sea shipping, a statement contrasting with claims by the U.S. and its allies of having significantly impaired the rebels’ offensive capabilities.
In response to these ongoing tensions, the U.S. Navy advised American-flagged ships to avoid areas around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for 72 hours following the initial airstrikes. Meanwhile, the Houthis alleged, without evidence, that the U.S. had conducted a strike near Hodeida around the same time as their cruise missile launch. The U.S. and the United Kingdom have not confirmed any such strike, leading to speculation that the explosion might have resulted from a malfunctioning Houthi missile.

The Houthi fire on Sunday went in the direction of the USS Laboon, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer operating in the southern reaches of the Red Sea, the U.S. military’s Central Command said in a statement

The Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, which they claim are retaliatory actions for Israel’s operations in Gaza against Hamas, have often targeted vessels with no apparent links to Israel, thereby endangering a crucial global trade route. These developments have heightened tensions in the Middle East, potentially risking a broader conflict despite the Biden administration’s and its allies’ efforts to de-escalate the situation.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen, exacerbated by the Saudi-led and U.S.-backed military intervention that began in 2015, has led to significant loss of life and a severe humanitarian crisis. The U.S. military has been reticent to confirm that the USS Laboon was explicitly targeted in the recent Houthi attacks. Still, U.S. sailors in the Red Sea have been awarded combat ribbons, indicating their engagement in active hostilities.
Furthermore, Houthi troops have been photographed during drills in environments resembling Jewish settlements, and footage has shown them practising with drones while standing on American flags. These activities have occurred in the wake of the U.S. and allied forces’ retaliatory strikes against Houthi attacks on maritime trade. In light of these events, the Houthi militia has vowed a “strong and effective response” to the U.S.-led strikes in Yemen. This escalation of tensions follows joint military exercises conducted by Britain, the U.S., and their allies, which included targeted attacks against Houthi positions in response to the group’s aggression towards international shipping lanes. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to demonstrate their military capabilities and resolve, with potential implications for the region’s stability and the safety of international maritime commerce.