U.S. warns Houthi rebels to cease Red Sea attacks

An unmanned sea drone launched from Yemen detonated on Thursday within “a couple of miles” of U.S. Navy and commercial ships, Navy officials said. The attack came just hours after the United States on Wednesday released a joint statement with 13 other countries warning Houthi rebels to cease their attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea or else bear the “responsibility of the consequences” of their actions. U.S. officials did not spell out what future actions they would take concerning the rebels. The Houthi militants are based in Yemen and are financially backed by Iran. In recent weeks, during the Israel-Hamas war, they have carried out over 20 attacks on ships they claimed were connected to Israel.  

What is the U.S. doing to maintain safety in the Red Sea? Last month, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international effort to boost security and ensure freedom of navigation in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This past Sunday, the U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense after flying out to a cargo ship that the Houthis were attacking. The helicopters sank three of the four attacking boats, killing 10 fighters. 

Dig deeper: Read Jill Nelson’s report in WORLD Magazine on Hamas and its relationship with Arab countries.