Since the beginning of Israel's offensive on the Palestinian Gaza Strip, the Houthi rebels from Yemen have emerged as a formidable force in the Red Sea region, causing significant disruptions to maritime activities. Backed by Iran, the Houthis have escalated their attacks, targeting cargo ships and naval vessels with missiles and drones, severely impacting trade routes and maritime security.

Efforts led by the US and its coalition partners to contain the Houthi threat have yielded little success. Instead, the conflict has spilled over into the Arab and Mediterranean seas, with numerous ships being either sunk or damaged in attacks orchestrated by the Houthis. The recent hijacking of an Israeli-owned vessel highlighted the audacity and strategic prowess of the Houthis, who continue to evolve their tactics, including the use of remote-controlled watercraft like the Tufan-1.

Euro News, citing security firm Ambre, reported a recent attack by the Houthis on a Liberian-flagged container ship, resulting in significant damage. The group also claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in the Red Sea, including an alleged assault on the US warship USS Eisenhower. Houthi spokesman Yahya Sari asserted that ballistic and cruise missiles had successfully targeted the Eisenhower, achieving their objectives. However, a US official dismissed these claims as false, emphasizing that the Eisenhower remains operational and undamaged.

Amidst conflicting reports, the Eisenhower's return to the United States after an extended deployment has sparked speculation and controversy. The ship's departure coincided with the Houthi announcement of an attack, raising questions about the timing and motive behind these events. Nonetheless, the US Central Command praised the Eisenhower's performance during its deployment, highlighting its role in safeguarding navigation freedom across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

As tensions escalate and maritime security remains compromised, international stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation in the Red Sea, where the Houthi insurgency poses a growing challenge to regional stability and global trade routes.