In November 2023, the USS Thomas Hudner, a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, decisively engaged and neutralized an unmanned aerial system (UAS) originating from Yemen over the strategic waters of the southern Red Sea. According to anonymous officials, the incident underscores the persistent tensions in a region vital to global maritime trade.
The engagement occurred as the vessel navigated towards the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial chokepoint for maritime traffic between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The UAS, identified as a potential threat, was promptly downed over open waters, ensuring the safety of the ship and its crew without causing any damage to the warship.
Intelligence assessments point to the likelihood of the UAS targeting the US vessel, although there was no direct attribution to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Nonetheless, the incident’s proximity to Yemen and recent patterns of aggressive Houthi behavior towards maritime assets in the Red Sea region are telling.
In November 2023, the Houthis were responsible for downing a US MQ-9 Reaper drone, a high-altitude long-endurance platform, representing a worrying escalation in the capabilities and intent of the rebel group.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed on may 2024 that they shot down an American drone over the country on the Arabian Peninsula. The U.S. military acknowledged reports about the downing but didn’t comment.
If confirmed, it would be the second MQ-9 Reaper drone downed by the Houthis as they press their campaign over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
The Houthis have been increasingly assertive in their aerial warfare tactics, launching a series of attacks, including at least six aerial assaults on Israel since early October 2023. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the group’s leader, has openly declared the intention to target Red Sea shipping.
This heightened aggression was mirrored in a recent operation involving the USS Carney, another destroyer that defended against a complex aerial threat comprising both missiles and UAS launched from Yemen, though officials denied that these projectiles targeted the ship directly.
The persistent maritime threat posed by the Houthis is part of a broader strategic agenda, leveraging attacks on international shipping as a leverage point to influence regional politics and Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The Houthi campaign has disrupted Red Sea traffic and inflicted broader economic implications, with a notable decline in vessel movements due to the perceived risks.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations center corroborated an assault near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, involving a missile launched at a commercial vessel, though with no resultant damage.
This forms part of a consistent pattern of over 50 Houthi strikes against maritime targets since November, including the seizure and sinking of vessels.
The actions of the USS Thomas Hudner underscore the US and its allies’ unwavering commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation and security in international waters.
Relevant articles:
– US Navy warship shoots down drone from Yemen over the Red Sea , Yahoo News UK, 05/26/2024
– Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim they shot down another US drone, ABC News, 05/24/2024
– Missile splashes into Red Sea near commercial vessel in suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Fox News, 05/23/2024
– Why have the UK and US launched more strikes on Yemen and who are the Houthis?, Yahoo News UK, 05/25/2024
– U.S. Navy Intercepts 4 Houthi-Launched Uncrewed Aerial Systems In Yemen, Marine Insight, 05/23/2024