It has been over a year since a U.S.-flagged commercial vessel navigated the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden without incident. The message is clear: no terrorist group will hinder American commercial and naval ships from asserting their right to navigate the world’s waterways.
Our economic and national security have faced relentless challenges from the Houthis. Today, President Trump’s decisive actions and leadership aim to put an end to this state of affairs.
Shipping Disruption
- Since 2023, Houthi assaults on shipping have inflicted significant harm on global trade and jeopardized U.S. economic security. A 2024 Defense Intelligence Agency report revealed a dramatic decline in container shipping traffic through the Red Sea due to these attacks.
- Prior to the escalation of hostilities, 25,000 merchant vessels traversed the Red Sea annually; this figure has plummeted to approximately 10,000.
- The rerouting of imports, including consumer goods and automobiles to the United States and agricultural exports from the Gulf of America, has been a direct consequence of Houthi aggression.
- In November 2023, the Houthis seized the M/V Galaxy Leader and escalated their campaign against commercial vessels using anti-ship missiles and unmanned vehicles.
- As a result of these attacks, around 75% of U.S. and UK-affiliated ships have opted to navigate around Africa rather than risk the Red Sea. This detour adds an average of ten days to their journeys and incurs additional fuel costs of approximately one million dollars per voyage.
- The cumulative effect of increased shipping rates, driven by Houthi disruptions, has likely contributed to a 0.6 to 0.7 percent rise in global consumer goods inflation in 2024.
Impacts to Allies and Partners
- The Red Sea is a pivotal passage for trade between Europe and Asia, with around 95% of shipping traffic between the two regions typically funneling through this waterway.
- Among the top ten importers by value utilizing the Red Sea, five are EU countries.
- Due to Houthi attacks, approximately 60% of EU-affiliated vessels have also chosen to reroute around Africa rather than risk passage through the Red Sea.
The Houthis have launched 174 attacks against U.S. warships and 145 against commercial vessels since 2023.
2023
- October 19, 2023: The USS Carney, a U.S. Navy destroyer, successfully intercepted multiple missiles fired from Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen, which posed imminent threats to U.S. forces.
- November 19, 2023: The Houthis seized the M/V Galaxy Leader, taking the multinational crew hostage for over a year.
- December 3, 2023: Houthi forces targeted three commercial vessels in the Red Sea with missiles and drones. The USS Carney responded to distress calls and intercepted three drones during the incident.
- December 16, 2023: The USS Carney engaged and destroyed 14 drones launched by the Houthis in the southern Red Sea, averting potential strikes on U.S. military and commercial maritime assets.
- December 26, 2023: The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Gravely responded to a distress call from the Maersk Hangzhou, which was under assault by Houthi forces. U.S. Navy helicopters intervened, resulting in the sinking of three Houthi vessels.
- December 30, 2023: Houthi forces fired anti-ship ballistic missiles at the USS Gravely, which successfully intercepted them, preventing any damage.
2024
- January 10, 2024: The Houthis executed a large-scale missile and drone strike against U.S. and UK naval forces in the Red Sea. The coordinated defense effectively neutralized all threats.
- January 15, 2024: The Houthi rebels targeted the U.S.-owned M/V Gibraltar Eagle with a missile, causing damage to the vessel.
- January 17, 2024: The U.S.-owned cargo ship Genco Picardy was attacked by Houthi drones in the Gulf of Aden, resulting in damage.
- January 26, 2024: The oil tanker Marlin Luanda, linked to British interests, suffered an attack by Houthi missiles in the Gulf of Aden, igniting a fire onboard.
- August 21, 2024: The Houthi rebels launched an attack on the Greek-flagged oil tanker M/V Sounion, threatening a significant oil spill and necessitating a prolonged salvage operation.
- September 27, 2024: The USS Spruance, USS Stockdale, and USS Indianapolis were targeted by a barrage of missiles and drones from Houthi forces in the Red Sea. All threats were successfully intercepted without damage to the U.S. warships.
- November 11, 2024: Houthi forces executed a coordinated assault involving drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles against the USS Spruance and USS Stockdale in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The U.S. destroyers intercepted all threats effectively.
- December 1, 2024: While escorting U.S.-flagged merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden, the USS Stockdale and USS O’Kane intercepted multiple missiles and drones launched by Houthi forces, ensuring the convoy’s safety.
- December 9–10, 2024: The USS Stockdale and USS O’Kane faced further Houthi-launched drones and missiles while escorting merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden, successfully neutralizing all threats without damage.
