(PatriotPostNews.com) — Houthi rebels are targeting and attacking ships in the Gulf of Aden off of Yemen. In June 2024, the Houthis sank a shipping vessel, killing one aboard.
The vessel, named the Tutor, was the second to sink as a result of a string of attacks by Houthi rebels. The rebels use drone boats to carry out attacks. The United States maintains a heavy presence in the Aden Gulf, but rebel attacks persist. Also in June, Houthis targeted a commercial ship, The captain reported explosions around the ship, but said that his vessel sustained no damage.
The Houthis have targeted at least 60 vessels in the region, sunk two ships, and killed at least four seamen. Houthi rebels also captured one vessel. In addition to Houthi rebels, Somali pirates are terrorizing the region. In one instance, pirates exchanged small arms fire with a commercial vessel. While the US is focused on combating the Houthis, the Indian Navy has stepped in to battle the Somali pirates. India positioned 110 vessels in the Gulf of Aden to protect ships traversing the corridor from pirate attacks.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of the United States’ oldest but most powerful aircraft carriers, has spearheaded the counter-offensive against the Houthi rebels. Eisenhower‘s mission has been to defend shipping lanes from Houthi attacks. However, after eight months at sea, the massive ship has been ordered to return home. The USS Theodore Roosevelt, along with a small armada of escort ships, will take the place of the Eisenhower. The Roosevelt is currently in South Korea.
Representatives for the Houthi rebels assert that their attacks exclusively target vessels with known ties to Israel, the United Kingdom, or the United States. However, the ships targeted have been found to have no credible connection to any of the three nations.
The British United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations is the primary point of contact and main source for security incident reports in the region.
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