(USNewsBreak.com) – Tensions in the Middle East have continued to rise in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Many have been critical of the United States for supporting Israel, and American troops have become targets. One of the militant groups, the Iranian-backed Houthis, has been launching missiles at ships in the Red Sea. It’s become so bad that many shipping companies are now actively avoiding the region, re-routing shipments, and increasing delivery times and costs. The US and its allies have responded, but it’s still a very dangerous zone.
US Launches Attacks
Over the past few months, the Houthi rebels, a Yemen-based group, have continued to launch missiles at ships passing through the Red Sea, drastically affecting global trade. On January 11, President Joe Biden announced that the US, working in conjunction with the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Bahrain, and the Netherlands, had struck back at the militant group, launching 150 precision-guided munitions at over 60 Houthi targets.
Biden said the strikes were a “direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks” on international commercial and military vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. He was referring to the January 9 event, where Houthis fired missiles — specifically aiming at American ships — even after they received warnings.
The Houthi haven’t made discriminating choices in targeting their launches, either. Their “27 attacks on international commercial shipping” have affected more than 50 countries. With approximately 12% of the global trade transiting via the Red Sea, Houthi attacks have created a significant economic impact.
Houthis Fire Back… Again
The militant group once again fired missiles on Sunday and Monday. On Sunday, January 14, they tried to hit an American warship. The US ship struck down the missile they fired. Then, the following day, the group launched even more attacks, this time damaging a US-flagged commercial vessel. On January 16, reports indicated that the US destroyed another four Houthi missiles that were prepared to launch and allegedly posed a serious threat.
The US military is preparing for further escalation. Experts estimate that the group still has 75% of its firing capabilities, a consideration that both the US and British governments acknowledge. Grant Shapps, Britain’s defense secretary, spoke with Sky News and said the “goal” wasn’t to “remove all of their facilities” but rather “to send a very clear message.” Both the US and UK have remained adamant that they will protect their resources, which might lead to more strikes in the future.
American troops are also under fire in the Middle East. Adversaries have attacked US troops more than 100 times since the conflict in Gaza began.
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