The US military carried its fourth strike against Houthi terrorists in a week on Wednesday. According to a statement by US Central Command, 14 missiles that were prepared for launching were attacked.
In the context of ongoing multi-national efforts to protect freedom of navigation and prevent attacks on U.S. and partner maritime traffic in the Red Sea, on Jan. 17 at approximately 11:59 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes on 14 Iran-backed Houthi missiles that were loaded to be fired in Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. These missiles on launch rails presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region and could have been fired at any time, prompting U.S. forces to exercise their inherent right and obligation to defend themselves. These strikes, along with other actions we have taken, will degrade the Houthi’s capabilities to continue their reckless attacks on international and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.
BACKGROUND:
BREAKING: US, UK Start Attacks on Houthis; Biden Issues Statement, Then Calls Lid – RedState
UPDATED: A 'Morning After' Look at the Strike on Yemen and What It Is Likely to Mean – RedState
BREAKING: US Launches Fresh Round of Strikes Against Houthi Targets – RedState
Observations
The strikes do not seem to be tied to any finite event. Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship cruise missile at the USS Laboon (it was intercepted by a US fighter aircraft), and they hit the US-owned Marshall Islands-registered container ship M/V Gibraltar Eagle with an anti-ship ballistic missile. Today, they hit the US-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged container ship M/V Genco Picardy with a suicide drone. It is interesting to note that Central Command refers to ships with Marshall Islands registry as "US operated," correctly reflecting the relationship between the US and the Marshall Islands.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has the statutory responsibility for the safety of US mariners, and shipping hasn't been heard of in a week.
These attacks in the Red Sea are unlawful and reckless. The safety of U.S. mariners is our priority, and DOT's Maritime Administration is in coordination with DOD and U.S.-flagged vessels to ensure their security. https://t.co/3eCNrU8NvS
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) January 11, 2024
The last strike was also aimed at Houthi missiles preparing to launch. The same "imminent threat" language was used.
I have to admit to being more than a little unclear about what this strategy is supposed to accomplish. In the major attack on January 11, the attack was leaked to the media more than twelve hours before it took place.
One of the hallmarks of the Biden NSC under Jake Sullivan is its shameful timidity. It has demonstrated this by dragging out the war in Ukraine because Sullivan has been terrified of each of the eleventy-seven "red lines' Vladimir Putin or one of his catchfarts have declared but failed to act on. This was no different. Hours before the strikes, word was leaked that the US and UK were attacking last night. This gave critical personnel time to skedaddle, and plenty of time to move vital equipment.
Playing whack-a-mole is not a winning game. It will not deter the Houthis from further attacks. More importantly, it will not open the Red Sea to commercial traffic because ship owners and insurance syndicates can't take the chance that the US military will be able to detect every Houthi missile preparing to launch.
The course of action chosen by Biden's national security team seems designed to both disrupt international supply chains and embolden the Houthis and their Iranian sponsors to more attacks.
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