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Connecticut Veterans Bulletin

Friday, December 8, 2023

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US Navy Warships Navigate Escalating Threats in the Middle East

The waters off Yemen’s coast have become a battleground, testing the resolve of US Navy vessels amid rising tensions involving Houthi rebels. In recent weeks, a series of confrontations have unfolded, raising concerns about the safety of commercial vessels and naval ships in the region.

The USS Carney, a US Navy destroyer, was involved in four incidents where it responded to attacks on commercial ships near Yemen, successfully intercepting hostile drones. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh emphasized that the situation in Israel and Gaza hasn’t expanded into a wider conflict but admitted the challenges faced by Navy ships navigating these turbulent waters.

These events come as part of an uptick in encounters, with Navy warships encountering missiles or employing defensive measures five times in recent weeks. The Houthis, considered an Iranian-backed militia, have proclaimed their aim to target Israeli vessels passing through the strategic waterway leading to the Suez Canal.

The tension began in October, following Israel’s declaration of war on Hamas, when the USS Carney intercepted land attack cruise missiles and drones launched by the Houthis. While the intended targets remained unclear, Pentagon officials believed Israel was the focus.

Subsequent incidents involved other Navy ships, including the USS Hudner and USS Mason, responding to drone threats and distress calls from merchant ships reportedly under attack by Somali individuals. Missiles fired from Yemen added to the escalating threats, landing close to the USS Mason.

Houthi rebels have explicitly declared their intent to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden until what they term “Israeli aggression” against Gaza stops. Israeli officials refrained from outright denial, framing the attacks as threats to navigation freedom in the region.

Despite Pentagon assertions that Navy ships were not direct targets, self-defense measures were justified in each instance. The recent sighting of an Iranian drone near the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower added to concerns about unsafe aerial encounters, underscoring the threat perceived by ship commanders.

Pentagon’s stance on not directly targeting Yemeni forces aims to avoid retaliatory actions seen in Syria and Iraq, despite growing concerns. The discretion to respond to perceived threats lies with the ship commanders, emphasizing the complexity of the situation.

While the situation remains a cause for concern, the Pentagon hasn’t disclosed plans for immediate retaliation, maintaining the stance of choosing the time and place for potential action against the Houthis.

This escalating situation underscores the challenges faced by US Navy ships navigating these turbulent waters, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and strategic assessment in the region.

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