Further escalating tensions in the Red Sea, the Houthi rebels have warned that they will target any ship connected to Israeli ports, regardless of its flag. This announcement signifies a move into the “4th phase” of their naval blockade against Israel. The Houthis stated that they would attack vessels belonging to companies that have dealings with Israeli ports, asserting that they could reach these targets with their missiles and drones. This poses a significant threat to international shipping and further destabilizes the already volatile region.
Read More
Following an attack by the Houthis near Yemen, ten people have been rescued from the Red Sea, while several others are believed to be held captive by the rebel group. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on the commercial bulk carrier Eternity C, which resulted in three fatalities and the sinking of the ship. The crew consisted of 21 Filipinos, one Russian, and a three-person security team, with the Houthis asserting they targeted the vessel due to its alleged destination of the Israeli port of Eilat. This attack marks the second sinking this week, fueling concerns of a shipping crisis on a crucial trade route, as the Houthis vow to continue targeting ships with alleged ties to Israel until the conflict in Gaza ends.
Read More
In the Red Sea, Houthi rebels attacked the cargo ship Eternity C, resulting in fatalities and the sinking of the vessel. The attacks, which began on Monday and continued through Tuesday, involved sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least three crew members, according to EU naval missions, although the exact number of casualties has not been independently verified. The Houthis claimed responsibility for sinking the ship and reported rescuing some crew members, while the incident marks the second cargo ship sunk by the group in the region.
Read More
The Liberian-flagged cargo ship “Eternity C” was attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea and subsequently sank, resulting in the deaths of at least three crew members and the rescue of only six of the 25 people on board. This incident, along with the sinking of the bulk carrier “Magic Seas,” raises concerns about the safety of maritime trade routes. The Houthis, who have targeted over 100 ships since late 2023, claimed responsibility for the attack, citing their support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The attack on the “Eternity C” marks the most serious assault by the Houthis, prompting international condemnation and calls for the protection of freedom of navigation.
Read More
In the Red Sea, a Liberian-flagged ship, the Magic Seas, was targeted in a serious assault. The attack, suspected to be conducted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, involved small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, and potentially bomb-carrying drone boats. The crew abandoned the ship as it took on water, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions. This attack occurs amid a delicate geopolitical climate, with a possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and as Iran considers nuclear negotiations.
Read More
In the latest incident, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet crashed into the Red Sea after a failed landing on the USS Harry Truman, marking the second such incident in as many weeks. Both pilots ejected safely and were rescued. This followed a Houthi attack on the carrier hours after a ceasefire announcement, raising questions about the agreement’s effectiveness. These incidents, alongside previous mishaps including a collision with a merchant vessel and accidental friendly fire, have prompted concerns about the prolonged and challenging deployment of the USS Harry Truman.
Read More
A second F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet has been lost from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea, following a similar incident just over a week prior. The pilot and weapons systems officer ejected safely after an apparent arresting gear malfunction during landing, sustaining minor injuries. This latest incident follows a Houthi attack on the Truman, although a connection between the two events remains unclear. The repeated loss of aircraft and other incidents involving the Truman highlight the challenging operational environment in the Red Sea.
Read More
During a hard turn to avoid Houthi fire in the Red Sea, a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet slipped from its tow and fell overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman. The incident, resulting in the aircraft sinking, caused minor injury to one sailor while all other personnel are accounted for. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident. Despite the loss, valued at over $60 million, the Truman Carrier Strike Group maintains full mission capability.
Read More
Following intensified U.S. airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen and increased American military deployment, Houthi leader Mahdi al-Mashat threatened further escalation, claiming U.S. strategies have failed. Mashat’s comments, delivered after a military meeting, highlight the escalating conflict in the Red Sea, threatening vital shipping lanes. The Houthis claim successful attacks against U.S. assets, though U.S. officials haven’t confirmed these claims. The situation raises concerns about the effectiveness of U.S. pressure on the Iran-backed group and the potential for further conflict.
Read More
The Houthi rebels’ declaration banning US vessels from the Red Sea, ostensibly in retaliation for attacks on Yemen, raises several immediate questions. The ban itself seems almost comical in its audacity, given the Houthis’ limited capabilities and the international nature of the Red Sea. It’s unlikely they possess the means to effectively enforce such a sweeping restriction. Their history of attacking ships, regardless of flag, suggests this “ban” is more of a symbolic gesture than a practical threat.
The lack of clarity surrounding the ban’s scope is concerning. Does it apply solely to US-flagged vessels, which are relatively rare in commercial shipping, or does it encompass any ships linked to the US through ownership, operation, or port calls?… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood