The US Military is in talks regarding escorting commercial ships in the Red Sea
Houthi militants have been leveraging missile and drone attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis claim that this is a part of an effort to fight against Israel. There already is a task force, the Combined Maritime Forces, consisting of ships from multiple nations. They’ve been involved with security in this area. The task force is made up of 39 nations, seven of these nations have offered to help with this specific commercial shipping security effort.
From CNN Politics:
The US has discussed ways to increase security in the area with members of the Combined Maritime Forces, a multi-national naval task force charged with protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. US officials have said publicly that discussions have centered on the possibility of escorting ships operating in the Red Sea and through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait into the Gulf of Aden — the narrow channel that separates Yemen and the Horn of Africa.
Seven members of the task force — made up of 39 nations that rotate command — have already offered to help, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told an audience at the Atlantic Council in Washington on Monday. US officials have declined to say which nations have stepped forward.
The discussions about bolstering the task force reflect growing concern in the region over the Iran-backed Houthis’ interference with the vital channel, through which millions of barrels of oil passes daily.
The Houthi rebels, who are funded and trained by Iran, have repeatedly attacked commercial ships with drones and missiles in recent weeks, and in November seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship, taking its crew hostage. They have also launched missiles toward Israel, one of which was intercepted by a US Navy destroyer in October.
On Sunday, a US Navy destroyer shot down three Houthi drones amid a sustained missile attack on several commercial ships that lasted several hours.
CNN Politics offers more information on this story.
Category: International Affairs, Navy, Terror War
I’m sure the world’s shipping lines will be happy to use the Navy as their janissaries.
Just so long as they’re paying for the privilege.
I’d rather we didn’t, even for money. We’re not mercenaries and, honestly, everyone else can fuck right off.
How about WW2 style convoys starting right now unlike that Asshole US Navy Admiral King whom waited to long while U-Boots were sinking ships right off of our east coast. and then had US Navy ships escorting convoys. after a large loss of merchant ships and crews.
How about shooting back?
Well, thats why the tin cans (Destroyers) are there doing the escorts, . Anyone that gives them a ration of shit gets blasted to hell…
But you can’t fight a war very well without a bunch of supplies…. Hey wait a second….
“who are funded and trained by Iran”
Cough, cough…gasp….
I’ll take Operation Earnest Will for a 1000, Alex. Oooooh, Daily Double!
I’ll take Ernest Borgnine for the win…..
PT Boats are now passe although awhile ago someone wrote an article about bringing them back.
The article was in USNI Magazine
What have the Houthis and Iranians got that we can make glow in the dark?
Yeah, I seen this show before. Didn’t we do this in the early 80s? Back then Iran was taking shots at tankers in the Gulf.
Yeahhh I thought I’d seen this movie before. Another damn remake.
Late ‘80’s.
I’m thinking this is a job for some of those heavily armed C-130’s.
Stop shooting Drones and start shooting Operators.
You nailed it and countersunk it Brother.
Spot on H and C. Can you say “counter battery fire”? I knew you could. I don’t have a problem with a Time on Target, FIRST (ht2 CW) Strike preemptive FIRE MISSION either.