Houthis' threat to Israel raises maritime security concerns in a volatile Middle East
Houthi threat to Israel: Amidst Iran-backed Shia Houthi aggression targeting Israel-bound maritime traffic in the Red Sea, concerns grow about a potential escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The possibility of extending this conflict to the sea-lanes near the Gulf of Aden is a stark reality unless the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) intervene to deter the Iranian proxy group from disturbing the sea theater.
French Navy's Languedoc intercepted two Houthi drones on December 9 in the Red Sea near Yemen's coast. Simultaneously, Israel warns of unilateral action against Iranian proxies if Tehran-backed Houthi attacks on maritime traffic—ballistic missiles, hijackings, and armed drones—persist, urging international intervention.
The situation along the Aden coast and Red Sea remains precarious, with any successful Houthi attack on vessels posing a potential trigger for conflict escalation, impacting global sea trade. Responding to the crisis, India deploys its INS Mormugao guided missile destroyer off Aden's coast, emphasizing the need to safeguard maritime traffic to South Asia within the 49-nation Combined Maritime Forces.
Houthi escalations in the Red Sea involve attacks on commercial ships using ballistic missiles, notably on December 3, 2023, striking three vessels. The U.S. military intervened, with the USS Carney neutralising three Houthi drones attacking ships, including the Unity Explorer. Other vessels, Number 9 and Sophie II, also faced missile strikes, causing varying degrees of damage.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, claimed responsibility for these attacks, citing retaliation against Israeli actions in Gaza. These events mark an alarming escalation in maritime attacks amid the broader Israel-Hamas conflict, directly threatening international shipping and regional maritime safety.
The U.S. presence has intensified in response, with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier operating in the Red Sea—an unprecedented move since 2021. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, including USS Philippine Sea and USS Mason, has been deployed, highlighting a heightened U.S. and NATO regional presence.
These developments underscore heightened tensions and the potential risk to regional stability, prompting concerns over the safety of maritime routes in the Middle East. The U.S. Central Command has emphasized the severity of these attacks and is considering necessary measures to counter this emergent threat.
- With inputs from agencies
