US (Washington Insider Magazine) —In response to recent missile strikes by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, the White House announced plans to potentially establish a naval task force to escort commercial ships in the Red Sea. National security adviser Jake Sullivan indicated that discussions with allies are underway, though no final decisions have been made. He characterized the initiative as a “natural” reaction to the growing maritime threats.
On Sunday, three commercial vessels were targeted by Houthi ballistic missiles, prompting a U.S. warship to intercept three drones in self-defense amid an extended assault. This escalation is part of a troubling trend of maritime attacks linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Sullivan stated, “We are in talks with other countries about a maritime task force involving ships from partner nations alongside the United States to ensure safe passage.” Similar protective measures have been implemented in regions like Somalia, highlighting the necessity of securing vital shipping routes.
The Red Sea, particularly the Bab al-Mandab strait, is crucial for global trade, with approximately 8.8 million barrels of oil transported daily through this region. This chokepoint not only carries oil and natural gas from the Gulf to Europe, the U.S., and China but also facilitates the movement of millions of tons of agricultural products and goods each year.
Sullivan emphasized the direct link between the Houthis’ actions and Iranian support, asserting that “the weapons here are being supplied by Iran,” thereby implicating them as responsible for the unrest. Notably, he clarified that not all vessels targeted were connected to Israel, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of Houthi aggression.
The proposed naval task force aims to enhance maritime security in one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, safeguarding international trade from rising threats.
