Red Sea: hit from US Navy carrier and Huti retaliation

Last week, he brought an escalation of tension in the Red Sea region, where the US Navy carried out massive hits on Huti's targets using an aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. In response, Huti declared carrying out a missile attack on an American aircraft carrier, although there is no evidence of its effectiveness. In view of the increasing tension Iran and Russia are concerned about further deterioration of the situation in the region, which may lead to escalation of conflict and major geopolitical consequences.

American determination in the Red Sea

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the continuation of armed action against Yemeni Huti fighters, responsible for a series of attacks on merchant ships and warships of the coalition states securing shipping routes in the Red Sea. "When the Huti announce the cessation of attacks on merchant ships and alliance ships, the campaign will be over. Until then, it will continue," he stated in an interview with Fox News.

Washington justifies its action with the need to restore freedom of navigation on one of the key arteries of world trade – the Bab al-Mandab Strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Hegseth stressed that Iran has been allowing Huti to act for too long, which destabilise the region and threaten the interests of the countries using this route.

Escalation and Victims – the largest US operation in the Red Sea

As a result of last week's U.S. raids on Huti's targets, at least 31 people were killed and more than 100 injured – the Ministry of Health controlled by Huti reported. The attacks included Sana and the city of Taizé. Airplanes from the aircraft carrier were used for impact USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), currently operating in the Red Sea. According to military sources, this was the largest US Navy operation in the Middle East since the beginning of Donald Trump's current term.

The raids met Iran's harsh reaction, which described them as a "dangerous violation" of international law. Tehran, the main ally of Huta, announced the possibility of taking "destructive" action in the event of further escalation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrow, on the other hand, called on the United States to immediately stop attacks and start political dialogue.

In response to American strikes, spokesman Huti reported on Sunday evening that their forces carried out an attack using 18 rockets and one drone, aimed at the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and associated U.S. Navy ships operating in the northern part of the Red Sea. The web published materials to depict the effects of the attack on an American aircraft carrier, but the American side did not confirm that any damage to the ships occurred. The Huti Declaration fits into the strategy announced by this organization "escalation for escalation".

Global consequences of Huti's attacks on shipping

Huti, who have taken control of much of Yemen in the last decade, has been engaged in armed activities threatening regional security and global supply chains since the end of 2023. Missile attacks and drones on civilian ships and warships forced U.S. and coalition states to run a costly countermeasure to these threats.

The rebels justify solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and announce the continuation of attacks on Israeli-related individuals until the blockade of humanitarian aid supplies is lifted.

What's next?

Despite retaliatory action and hard rhetoric from both the US and Huti, the conflict in the Red Sea area shows no signs of extinction. Lack of progress in restoring freedom of navigation in these waters and the risk of further involvement of Iran and other actors indicate that the current escalation can only be a continuation of the already long-standing crisis.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz