The U.S. Navy has struck three ships in three days, escalating tensions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The attacks, which targeted vessels allegedly linked to Houthi rebels, mark a significant uptick in military action since the Israel-Hamas war began. Here's what we know so far.
The first incident occurred on Tuesday when the USS Carney, a guided-missile destroyer, intercepted and destroyed two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The missiles were aimed at commercial shipping lanes, but no injuries or damage were reported. By Wednesday, the USS Mason, another destroyer, engaged a small boat that ignored warnings and approached a commercial tanker. The boat was sunk after it refused to stop, according to Pentagon officials.
The third strike: A direct hit
On Thursday, the U.S. military confirmed that a drone strike in Yemen destroyed a radar site used by Houthi forces to coordinate attacks on Red Sea shipping. This was the first direct strike on Houthi infrastructure since the campaign began. A senior defense official said the radar was actively tracking a commercial vessel when it was hit. The strikes come after weeks of warnings from Washington that it would not tolerate threats to international trade routes.
Why now? The Houthis have been targeting ships in the Red Sea since November, claiming they are retaliating against Israeli operations in Gaza. But the pace has accelerated. In December alone, they attacked at least 10 vessels, forcing major shipping companies to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope. That adds weeks to voyages and millions in fuel costs. The U.S. and its allies have been patrolling the area, but these three strikes in three days signal a shift from defense to deterrence.
What happens next?
The Houthis have vowed to continue their campaign, and the U.S. has made clear it will respond. For now, the Red Sea remains a flashpoint. Shipping companies are watching closely, and so are oil markets. Brent crude edged up 2% on Thursday. The real question is whether these strikes will de-escalate the situation or trigger a broader conflict. Either way, the world's busiest maritime corridor is now a war zone.