US Role In Yemen Increasing After Attacks (Worthy News Focus)
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
SANAA/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – There was uncertainty Sunday about American forces believed to be in Yemen after the country’s Houthi rebels targeted U.S. vessels in the Red Sea, prompting an international response.
American, French, and British forces downed dozens of drones in the Red Sea area overnight and on Saturday after the Iran-backed Houthis attacked bulk carrier Propel Fortune and U.S. destroyers in the region, the U.S. military said.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed that along with targeting the Propel Fortune, the Houthi forces also launched 37 drones against U.S. warships on Friday.
However, the United States military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said, “The missiles did not impact the vessel [Propel Fortune],” which continued its way. “There were no injuries or damages reported,” it added.
The strikes, one of the largest recent attacks by the rebels, came just days after a Houthi missile attack killed three seafarers on a Red Sea merchant ship.
These killed staff were the first fatalities reported since the Iran-aligned Yemeni group began strikes against shipping in one of the world’s busiest trade lanes.
CLAIMING ATTACK
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, which set the Greek-owned, Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence ablaze around 50 nautical miles (92.6 kilometers) off the coast of Yemen’s port of Aden.
The U.S. and Britain have struck Houthi-controlled positions in Yemen over the past months but failed to eliminate the Houthis ability to target maritime traffic with drones and anti-ship missiles.
Yet, the rebels say they will continue their attacks against allies of Israel as long as the Jewish nation continues its war against Hamas in Gaza.
These escalating confrontations were expected to increase pressure on U.S. forces, apparently in Yemen.
While the Pentagon has been reluctant to confirm their presence, a December 7 letter by President Joe Biden to the U.S. Congress reviewed by Worthy News confirmed American troops were in the Arab world’s poorest country.
“A small number of United States military personnel are deployed to Yemen to conduct operations against al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula and [Islamic State] ISIS,” he wrote, referring to two groups deemed terrorist organizations by Washington and others.
SEEKING PARTNERS
“The United States military continues to work closely with the Republic of Yemen government and regional partner forces to degrade the terrorist threat posed by those groups,” Biden added.
He stressed that the “United States Armed Forces, in a non-combat role, continue to provide military advice and limited information to the Saudi-led Coalition for defensive and training purposes only as they relate to territorial defense. Such support does not involve United States Armed Forces in hostilities with the Houthis for the purposes of the War Powers Resolution.”
However, it remained unclear what the current involvement is of the troops in the ongoing battles against the Houthis as the U.S.-led coalition continues targeting Houthi positions in response to attacks.
“These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure,” CENTCOM said.
The Red Sea is a vital route for international trade as the Red Sea and connecting Suez Canal alone provide around 30 percent of the world’s container traffic, according to experts.
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