<p>Top officials in Washington are actively weighing options to strike back at Yemen’s Houthis after the Iran-backed militant group launched a number of attacks against naval and commercial ships in the Red Sea, reported Politico citing two United States officials. This comes a day after major shipping firms announced that they would be avoiding the Suez Canal, a key trade route between Europe and Asia, a move which could potentially affect global trade.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Will US respond to Houthi attacks?</strong></h2>

<p>Over the last few weeks, the Yemen-based Houthis have launched a number of attacks against commercial ships passing through the Red Sea amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The attacks have mostly been thwarted by the American forces in the region but given the rise of such incidents, the US may be planning to ramp up its forces to now retaliate.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Houthi Red Sea attacks: Iran warns against proposed US-backed Red Sea force</strong></p>

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<p>The Pentagon has in recent days moved the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Yemen, to support a potential US response to attacks, one of the American officials told Politico on the condition of anonymity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report citing officials also said that the US military has provided options to commanders to strike the Houthis. However, President Joe Biden’s administration is reluctant to respond to these attacks amid fear of provoking Iran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, the Pentagon itself had reportedly recommended against it but given the significant uptick in attacks, US officials may be looking to change their tactics.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tanker-in-bab-al-mandab-strait-attacked-by-missiles-from-houthi-controlled-yemen-gunmen-on-speedboats-669295">Tanker carrying jet fuel from India hit by missiles from Houthi-controlled Yemen, gunmen on speedboats</a></strong></p>

<p>National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is in the midst of a trip to the Middle East, said Houthis were a “material threat” to shipping and commerce in the region but the ultimate responsibility for the attacks lies with Iran.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Recent attacks</h2>

<p>As the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza rages on, Houthis who have expressed support for the Palestinian militant group have issued multiple warnings saying that they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing in Israeli ports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Saturday (Dec 16) morning, the US and United Kingdom navy vessels shot down suspected attack drones which were said to have been targeting shipping vessels.&nbsp;</p>

<p>American destroyer USS Carney shot down 14 one-way attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, said the US Central Command. HMS Diamond, a British destroyer, which was recently deployed in the Red Sea to help protect commercial shipping, also shot down one suspected Houthi drone.</p>

<p>This was a day after two cargo ships in the Red Sea had been attacked by missiles and drones fired from a Houthi-controlled part of Yemen. The attacks took place near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key route for global trade.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idf-confirms-houthis-hijacked-ship-in-red-sea-but-says-its-not-israeli-vessel-660542">IDF confirms Houthis hijacked India-bound ship in Red Sea, but says it's not Israeli vessel</a></strong></p>

<p>One ship was also attacked by a suspected Houthi drone but the Iran-backed group did not claim responsibility for it. “We are aware that something launched from a Houthi-controlled region of Yemen struck this vessel which was damaged, and there was a report of a fire,” a US military official told AFP referring to the drone attack.</p>

<h2><strong>Shipping firms to avoid Suez Canal&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Major shipping firms, including MSC, the world’s biggest container shipping line, on Saturday said that they will avoid the Suez Canal in light of the attacks in the Red Sea.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Denmark’s AP Moller-Maersk, on Friday (Dec 15) said that they are pausing all its container shipments through Bab al-Mandab until further notice, Swiss-based MSC and French shipping group CMA CGM followed suit the next day.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Top officials in Washington are actively weighing options to strike back at Yemen’s Houthis after the Iran-backed militant group launched a number of attacks against naval and commercial ships in the Red Sea, reported Politico citing two United States officials.

Top officials in Washington are actively weighing options to strike back at Yemen’s Houthis after the Iran-backed militant group launched a number of attacks against naval and commercial ships in the Red Sea, reported Politico citing two United States officials. This comes a day after major shipping firms announced that they would be avoiding the Suez Canal, a key trade route between Europe and Asia, a move which could potentially affect global trade. Will US respond to Houthi attacks? Over the last few weeks, the Yemen-based Houthis have launched a number of attacks against commercial ships passing through the Red Sea amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. The attacks have mostly been thwarted by the American forces in the region but given the rise of such incidents, the US may be planning to ramp up its forces to now retaliate. WATCH | Houthi Red Sea attacks: Iran warns against proposed US-backed Red Sea force The Pentagon has in recent days moved the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Yemen, to support a potential US response to attacks, one of the American officials told Politico on the condition of anonymity. The report citing officials also said that the US military has provided options to commanders to strike the Houthis. However, President Joe Biden’s administration is reluctant to respond to these attacks amid fear of provoking Iran. Earlier, the Pentagon itself had reportedly recommended against it but given the significant uptick in attacks, US officials may be looking to change their tactics. ALSO READ | Tanker carrying jet fuel from India hit by missiles from Houthi-controlled Yemen, gunmen on speedboats National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is in the midst of a trip to the Middle East, said Houthis were a “material threat” to shipping and commerce in the region but the ultimate responsibility for the attacks lies with Iran. Recent attacks As the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza rages on, Houthis who have expressed support for the Palestinian militant group have issued multiple warnings saying that they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing in Israeli ports. On Saturday (Dec 16) morning, the US and United Kingdom navy vessels shot down suspected attack drones which were said to have been targeting shipping vessels. American destroyer USS Carney shot down 14 one-way attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, said the US Central Command. HMS Diamond, a British destroyer, which was recently deployed in the Red Sea to help protect commercial shipping, also shot down one suspected Houthi drone. This was a day after two cargo ships in the Red Sea had been attacked by missiles and drones fired from a Houthi-controlled part of Yemen. The attacks took place near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key route for global trade. ALSO READ | IDF confirms Houthis hijacked India-bound ship in Red Sea, but says it's not Israeli vessel One ship was also attacked by a suspected Houthi drone but the Iran-backed group did not claim responsibility for it. “We are aware that something launched from a Houthi-controlled region of Yemen struck this vessel which was damaged, and there was a report of a fire,” a US military official told AFP referring to the drone attack. Shipping firms to avoid Suez Canal Major shipping firms, including MSC, the world’s biggest container shipping line, on Saturday said that they will avoid the Suez Canal in light of the attacks in the Red Sea. Denmark’s AP Moller-Maersk, on Friday (Dec 15) said that they are pausing all its container shipments through Bab al-Mandab until further notice, Swiss-based MSC and French shipping group CMA CGM followed suit the next day. (With inputs from agencies)

US weighs options to retaliate against Houthi attacks in Red Sea: Report

<p>Maersk, which is one of the world's largest shipping companies, has said that it is suspending shipping through Red Sea strait following attacks by&nbsp;Yemeni rebels&nbsp;on merchant ships.</p>

<p>"Following the near-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar yesterday and yet another attack on a container vessel today, we have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journey until further notice," the company said in a statement as per AFP.</p>

<p>Reuters quoted a Maersk spokesperson saying that the company will ask the ships to take a detour around Africa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Following the near-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar yesterday and yet another attack on a container vessel today, we have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journey until further notice," the company said as reported by Reuters.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Israel-Hamas tops list of Google searches in 2023</strong></p>

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<p>On Thursday, Maersk said that Maersk Gibraltar, one of its ships was targeted by a missile when it was travelling from Salalah, Oman, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The company said that the crew and vessel were safe.</p>

<p>Earlier on Friday, Maersk denied claim from Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels that they had struck a ship that was sailing towards Israel.</p>

<p>The Houthis&nbsp;claimed without presenting evidence that they had attacked the container vessel with a drone.</p>

<p>"The recent attacks on commercial vessels in the area are alarming and pose a significant threat to the safety and security of seafarers," read the&nbsp;statement by&nbsp;Maersk</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-troops-mistakenly-shot-dead-three-israeli-hostages-says-army-670143">Israel troops 'mistakenly' shot dead three Israeli hostages, says army</a></strong></p>

<p>Maersk's concerns were echoed by&nbsp;German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock who said earlier on Friday that the attcaks by Houthi rebels were not only threatening Israel but were also a threat to international shipping.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/45pc-of-israeli-air-to-ground-munitions-in-gaza-are-dumb-bombs-reveals-report-669941">45 pc of Israeli air-to-ground munitions in Gaza are 'dumb bombs', reveals report</a></strong></p>

<p>"These attacks endanger not only Israel's security -- these attacks threaten international maritime shipping and the freedom of trade routes," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at a press conference in Berlin. Visiting Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib was al present at the media briefing.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Maersk, which is one of the world's largest shipping companies, has said that it is suspending shipping through Red Sea strait following attacks by Yemeni rebels on merchant ships.

Maersk, which is one of the world's largest shipping companies, has said that it is suspending shipping through Red Sea strait following attacks by Yemeni rebels on merchant ships. "Following the near-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar yesterday and yet another attack on a container vessel today, we have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journey until further notice," the company said in a statement as per AFP. Reuters quoted a Maersk spokesperson saying that the company will ask the ships to take a detour around Africa. "Following the near-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar yesterday and yet another attack on a container vessel today, we have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journey until further notice," the company said as reported by Reuters. Watch | Israel-Hamas tops list of Google searches in 2023 × On Thursday, Maersk said that Maersk Gibraltar, one of its ships was targeted by a missile when it was travelling from Salalah, Oman, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The company said that the crew and vessel were safe. Earlier on Friday, Maersk denied claim from Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels that they had struck a ship that was sailing towards Israel. The Houthis claimed without presenting evidence that they had attacked the container vessel with a drone. "The recent attacks on commercial vessels in the area are alarming and pose a significant threat to the safety and security of seafarers," read the statement by Maersk Also Read | Israel troops 'mistakenly' shot dead three Israeli hostages, says army Maersk's concerns were echoed by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock who said earlier on Friday that the attcaks by Houthi rebels were not only threatening Israel but were also a threat to international shipping. Also Read | 45 pc of Israeli air-to-ground munitions in Gaza are 'dumb bombs', reveals report "These attacks endanger not only Israel's security -- these attacks threaten international maritime shipping and the freedom of trade routes," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at a press conference in Berlin. Visiting Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib was al present at the media briefing. (With inputs from agencies)

Maersk suspends shipping through Red Sea strait after attacks from Houthi rebels, opts for long detour

<p>The United States has decided to dispatch guided-missile destroyer and state-of-the-art fighter jets to help the United Arab Emirates (UAE) fight against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.</p>

<p>In a phone call on Tuesday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Abu bin Zayed Al Nahyan that the Pentagon would send “guided-missile destroyer USS Cole to partner with the UAE Navy before making a port call in Abu Dhabi”, the US embassy in the UAE said.</p>

<p>Austin also told the crown prince that Washington would deploy fifth-generation fighter aircraft – a classification that includes US-made F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lighting II combat jets – to the UAE to “assist against the current threat”, according to a readout of the conversation released by the Pentagon.</p>

<p>Among other aid includes “continuing to provide early warning intelligence”, it added.</p>

<p>The military support to the UAE is expected to ward off threats by the Houthis, who launched a third missile attack in consecutive weeks on Monday.</p>

<p>The UAE, which is part of the Saudi-led coalition, has been fighting Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. In January, the gulf&nbsp;country had to face a series of missile attacks by the rebels.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uae-intercepts-ballistic-missile-fired-by-yemens-houthi-rebels-449086">UAE intercepts ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a></p>

<p>On January 17, three foreign workers were killed in a drone-and-missile assault targeting Abu Dhabi's oil facilities and airport.</p>

<p>A week later on January 24, the US forces stationed at Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra air base fired Patriot interceptors and scrambled to bunkers as two ballistic missiles were shot down over the city.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-president-expresses-support-for-uaes-security-needs-during-his-visit-449057" hreflang="en">Israel president expresses support for UAE's security needs during his visit</a></strong></p>

<p>And on Monday, a third missile attack was thwarted during the visit to the UAE of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.</p>

<p>The fight between Saudis and Houthis began following a civil war in Yemen in 2014.</p>

<p>The Houthis seized capital Sanaa, prompting Saudi-led forces to intervene to prop up the government the following year.</p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The United States has decided to dispatch guided-missile destroyer and state-of-the-art fighter jets to help the United Arab Emirates (UAE) fight against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The United States has decided to dispatch guided-missile destroyer and state-of-the-art fighter jets to help the United Arab Emirates (UAE) fight against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. In a phone call on Tuesday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Abu bin Zayed Al Nahyan that the Pentagon would send “guided-missile destroyer USS Cole to partner with the UAE Navy before making a port call in Abu Dhabi”, the US embassy in the UAE said. Austin also told the crown prince that Washington would deploy fifth-generation fighter aircraft – a classification that includes US-made F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lighting II combat jets – to the UAE to “assist against the current threat”, according to a readout of the conversation released by the Pentagon. Among other aid includes “continuing to provide early warning intelligence”, it added. The military support to the UAE is expected to ward off threats by the Houthis, who launched a third missile attack in consecutive weeks on Monday. The UAE, which is part of the Saudi-led coalition, has been fighting Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. In January, the gulf country had to face a series of missile attacks by the rebels. Also read | UAE intercepts ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels On January 17, three foreign workers were killed in a drone-and-missile assault targeting Abu Dhabi's oil facilities and airport. A week later on January 24, the US forces stationed at Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra air base fired Patriot interceptors and scrambled to bunkers as two ballistic missiles were shot down over the city. Also read | Israel president expresses support for UAE's security needs during his visit And on Monday, a third missile attack was thwarted during the visit to the UAE of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The fight between Saudis and Houthis began following a civil war in Yemen in 2014. The Houthis seized capital Sanaa, prompting Saudi-led forces to intervene to prop up the government the following year. × (With inputs from agencies)

US sends missile destroyers, fighter jets to UAE to ward off Houthi attacks

The United States said it is sending fighter jets to assist the United Arab Emirates following a series of missile attacks on the Gulf state launched by Yemen's Houthi movement.

US to send destroyer, fighter jets to assist UAE after Houthi attacks

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US weighs options to retaliate against Houthi attacks in Red Sea: Report

Maersk suspends shipping through Red Sea strait after attacks from Houthi rebels, opts for long detour

US sends missile destroyers, fighter jets to UAE to ward off Houthi attacks

US to send destroyer, fighter jets to assist UAE after Houthi attacks