In response to a series of recent attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, top officials in the Biden administration are actively considering military options to deter further assaults on naval and commercial ships, according to two anonymous US officials who spoke with Politico.
The Pentagon has taken decisive action by relocating the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden, adjacent to the Yemeni coast. This strategic move aims to bolster the US military’s readiness to respond to potential Houthi attacks, revealed one of the officials, both of whom requested anonymity to discuss sensitive plans. The military has also presented various strike options to commanders for consideration.
Despite previous reluctance to engage militarily in response to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping, the Biden administration’s stance may be shifting due to a notable increase in recent assaults. Officials have expressed concern about the potential for these attacks to escalate, prompting a reconsideration of the administration’s approach.
In the latest incident, the USS Carney, positioned in the Red Sea, successfully intercepted 14 one-way attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. Simultaneously, the British destroyer HMS Diamond, deployed to safeguard commercial shipping, also downed a Houthi drone.
On the preceding day, a Houthi drone targeted the Liberian-flagged Motor Vessel Al Jasrah in the Red Sea, resulting in a fire. Additionally, Houthi forces launched two ballistic missiles toward the Bab el-Mandeb strait on Friday, with one hitting the Liberian-flagged Motor Vessel Palatium 3. In response to these attacks, US warships promptly intervened.
The Biden administration’s reconsideration of military options reflects a delicate balancing act, as officials seek to respond assertively to Houthi aggression while avoiding escalating tensions with Iran, which supports various groups in Yemen, including the Houthis, as well as Hamas and Hezbollah.
