The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen struck three commercial vessels with missiles in the southern Red Sea on Dec. 3, according to U.S. Central Command. Washington is working to form a maritime task force to ensure the safe passage of ships. The Biden administration should use the existing Combined Task Force 153 to urgently build a larger international effort to protect commercial vessels and interdict Iranian weapons smuggling to the Houthis.
The U.S. Navy’s Arleigh-Burke class destroyer Carney responded to distress calls from commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The three attacked vessels were connected to 14 separate nations, a clear indication that Houthi aggression is not solely America’s problem.
Iran is the root cause of the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, according to CENTCOM and U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Tehran has been smuggling weapons to the Houthis for years.
Washington should explore whether an expanded task force could interdict arms Iran is smuggling to Yemen and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels, as continued reliable supply of weapons from Tehran will likely result in further attacks.
The Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea pose a transnational threat that requires a transnational solution. An expanded CTF 153 in the Red Sea supported by numerous nations could help to address the issue.
