Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Ships Escalate as USS Theodore Roosevelt Deploys

A pair of Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea on Monday has heightened tensions in the region, prompting the deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier to provide security. The attacks, targeting the Panama-flagged MT Bently I and the Liberian-flagged MT Chios Lion, add to a series of maritime incidents in the vital trade route since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict nine months ago.

The ongoing conflict between Yemen's Houthi rebels and the US-backed Saudi-led coalition continues to escalate, with two fresh attacks on ships in the Red Sea on Monday raising concerns of a wider regional war. These incidents underscore the growing threat posed by the Houthis, who have launched a relentless campaign against international shipping in support of the Palestinian group Hamas.

Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Ships Escalate as USS Theodore Roosevelt Deploys

According to British and American authorities, three Houthi boats, two of which were manned, attacked the MT Bently I off the coast of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The British military's UK Maritime Trade Operations center reported that the vessel employed self-protection measures and that the Houthis aborted their attempt after 15 minutes.

Later the same day, a Houthi drone targeted the MT Chios Lion, a Liberian-flagged oil tanker owned by the Marshall Islands. The UKMTO stated that the drone crashed into the port side of the vessel, causing minor damage and light smoke. Both ships and their crews were reported safe.

Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Ships Escalate as USS Theodore Roosevelt Deploys

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks, which the US Central Command confirmed on Tuesday. The Central Command condemned the Houthis' "reckless behavior," emphasizing that their actions endanger the lives of innocent mariners and undermine regional stability.

Additionally, on Monday, US forces destroyed five uncrewed Houthi aerial vehicles, three over the Red Sea and two in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The US aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is also approaching the Middle East to replace the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which has been deployed in the Red Sea to counter the Houthis.

The Houthis have targeted over 70 vessels with missiles and drones since November, killing four sailors and seizing or sinking three ships. Despite US-led airstrikes targeting the rebels, the Houthis maintain that their attacks are directed towards ships associated with Israel, the US, or Britain, as part of their support for Hamas in its conflict with Israel.

The Houthis' attacks have also extended beyond the Red Sea, with a missile attack last week on a US-flagged container ship in the Gulf of Aden, marking their longest-range attack on a US vessel in the Arabian Sea. The number of Houthi attacks on merchant vessels has surged since December, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center.

The heightened tensions in the Red Sea have prompted calls for increased international cooperation to safeguard shipping and prevent a wider conflict. The deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt is a significant step towards bolstering security in the region, but experts warn that the situation remains volatile and further escalation remains possible.