The Red Sea is one of the world's most important maritime communication arteries, connecting Europe, Asia and Africa for trade and energy. Recently, however, the waters have become the scene of war, with Yemen's Houthi rebels threatening the security of international shipping by launching attacks on merchant ships passing through the Red Sea.
In order to protect its allies and interests, the US Navy had to dispatch aircraft carriers and destroyers to engage in fierce exchanges of fire with the Houthis. On December 31, 2023, the U.S. military announced that it had successfully sunk three Houthi boats, leaving no survivors, a major variable in the Red Sea war. What are the deep-seated reasons and effects behind this battle?
Why did the U.S. military intervene?
The United States is the most powerful country in the world and the main intervener in the Middle East. The United States has multiple interests in the Middle East, including maintaining Israel's security, securing oil supplies, fighting terrorism, and containing Iran. The United States has many allies in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, etc., as well as many enemies, such as Iran, Syria, and Allah in Lebanon.
Yemen's Houthis are one of Iran's proxies and are in hostility with Saudi Arabia and the United States. The Houthis have been fighting against the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's civil war since 2014, taking control of Yemen's capital, Sana'a, and much of the north. The Houthis, armed with a large number of missiles and drones, regularly launch attacks on cities and facilities in Saudi Arabia, causing damage to people and property.
The Houthis have also threatened to launch attacks on Israel in support of Palestinian resistance. These actions by the Houthis have seriously challenged US interests and influence in the Middle East and endangered the security of US allies and friendly countries. Therefore, the United States has enough reasons and motives to strike and sanction the Houthis.
How does the U.S. military strike?
The United States has a formidable military presence in the Middle East, including several aircraft carriers, dozens of destroyers, and a large number of warplanes and missiles. The United States also has advanced intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities, which can keep abreast of the movements and targets of the Houthis. U.S. military operations in the Red Sea have been carried out mainly through air strikes and sea interceptions to destroy Houthi missiles and drones, as well as small boats trying to attack merchant ships.
According to a statement from the U.S. Central Command, on December 31, 2023, when the container ship of Maersk Line sent a distress signal to the U.S. military, the U.S. Navy quickly dispatched helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and USS Graveley to return fire in self-defense.
Three Houthi boats were successfully sunk, while one of them did not even escape. This is the latest U.S. military operation in the Red Sea, and the most intense. This action by the United States shows the tough attitude of the United States towards the Houthis, and also demonstrates the military superiority and deterrence of the United States in the Red Sea.
What is the impact of the US military's intervention?
The US military operations in the Red Sea have had an important impact on the war situation in the Red Sea and on international shipping. First of all, the U.S. intervention has dealt a blow to the morale and capabilities of the Houthis, inflicted losses on the Houthis in personnel and equipment, and also broke the arrogance of the Houthis in the Red Sea, forcing the Houthis to reconsider their strategies and actions. The U.S. intervention has also provided support and encouragement to Saudi Arabia and other countries that oppose the Houthis, strengthening their initiative and advantage in the Yemeni civil war.
The U.S. intervention also sends a warning and signal to Iran and other countries that support the Houthis, indicating that the United States will not tolerate the Houthis' provocations and threats, nor will it give up its interests and influence in the Middle East. The US intervention may aggravate tension and confrontation in the Middle East and promote the process of peace and negotiation. Second, the United States has taken action to protect the safety and smooth flow of international shipping and uphold international law and order.
The Red Sea is one of the busiest sea lanes in the world, with thousands of merchant ships passing through each year, carrying large quantities of oil, gas, grain, fertilizers and other vital supplies. The Houthi attacks not only caused losses to the victim merchant ships, but also caused panic and concern to other merchant ships, affecting their normal navigation. The U.S. intervention stopped the Houthi attacks in a timely manner, ensured the safety of merchant ships, and stabilized the confidence and expectations of the international market. The U.S. intervention also provides an opportunity for other countries to participate and cooperate in maintaining peace and order in the Red Sea.
epilogue
The successful sinking of the Houthis by the United States in the Red Sea marked a major change in the situation in the Red Sea. This decisive and forceful military action not only dealt a blow to the Houthis and maintained peace and order in the Red Sea, but also demonstrated the tough stance of the United States in the Middle East. The move is expected to inspire allies, contain hostile forces, and instill confidence in the security of international maritime transport. However, the uncertainties of the war have also raised deeper geopolitical considerations that will affect the evolution and future direction of the situation in the Middle East.