Page 32 - 2023 - Q4 - Minerva in Focus

STAY SAFE

Turning Points

in Maritime

Terrorism

By Diaplous Group

Houthi weaponry attacking com-
mercial shipping and US Navy assets
Houthi weaponry was widely demonstrat-
ed for the first time on 25 March 2022, when
they launched a large-scale attack on Sau-
di Arabia, using a combination of loitering
munitions, ballistic and cruise missiles.
Concerning the Red Sea, the Houthis have
not only been targeting commercial ves-
sels, but have also been launching massive
drone attacks on the US Navy. Based on US
CENTCOM posts, these attacks have been
recorded as follows:
The escalation of Houthi attacks • Dec 14: A bulk carrier was hijacked • Nov. 30: USS Carney shot down an Ira-
Since mid-November 2023, the Houthis have 340nm east of Socotra Island. If con- nian-produced KAS-04 UAV launched
conducted repeated attacks on merchant firmed as Somali piracy, it would be from Houthi-controlled areas of Yem-
vessels in the Red Sea, disrupting interna- the first successful hijacking involving en. The UAV was heading toward the
tional shipping. The aggression began with Somali pirates since 2017. warship.
missile and drone attacks against Israel • Dec 19: The U.S. Secretary of Defense • Dec. 03: While in international waters,
in October, demanding an end to Israel’s announced the establishment of Op- USS CARNEY shot down a UAV launched
military campaign in Gaza. Since then, the eration Prosperity Guardian under the from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen.
Houthis, who claim to be the Yemeni army, umbrella of the Combined Maritime The drone was headed toward CARNEY
have been carrying out attacks on vessels Forces, with 12 participant nations. although its specific target is not clear.
suspected of Israeli connections. • Dec 20: Eighteen Companies suspend- • Dec. 16: The USS CARNEY successfully
ed passage through Red Sea after engaged 14 unmanned aerial sys-
U.S. naval units have repeatedly intercepted attacks in the area. tems launched as a drone wave from
bomb-laden UAVs and missiles, avoiding • Dec 22: Houthis started attacking Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The
direct confrontation with the Houthis. This energy targets, forcing oil companies, UAS were assessed to be one-way at-
changed on New Year’s Eve, which marked such as BP, to opt against passing tack drones and were shot down.
the first deadly clash between the US and through the Red Sea. • Dec. 23: The USS LABOON was pa-
the Houthis. Navy helicopters from USS Ei- • Dec 23: A UAV hit a Liberia-flagged trolling in the Southern Red Sea as part
senhower responded to a distress call from chemical/product tanker in interna- of Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN
a container vessel and ended up exchang- tional waters, approximately 200nm and shot down four unmanned aerial
ing fire and sinking three fast boats, killing southwest of Veraval, India. This hit drones originating from Houthi-con-
10 of Houthi fighters. The attack stipulates fell within the range capabilities of trolled areas in Yemen that were in-
the Houthis persistence on attacking mer- Iranian UAVs. bound to the USS LABOON.
chant vessels in the Red Sea, ignoring the • Jan 03, 2024: A Joint Statement was is- • Dec. 26: The USS LABOON and F/A-18
increased presence of warships in the area. sued from the Governments of the US, aircrafts from the USS Eisenhower, shot
Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, down twelve one-way attack drones,
As turning points amongst the Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Neth- three anti-ship ballistic missiles, and
recent maritime terrorism incidents erlands, New Zealand, Singapore, and two land attack cruise missiles that
could be seen: the UK, calling for the immediate end were fired by the Houthis over a 10-
• Nov 19: The car carrier GALAXY LEADER of the illegal attacks in the Red Sea hour period.
seizure and release of unlawfully detained
• Nov 27: The attack on M/T CENTRAL vessels and crews. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether
PARKm, which was carried out by So- • Jan 04, 2024: A Houthi drone boat the Houthis will take more offensive action
mali pirates—five of them have been packed with explosives detonated in against the US Navy and, potentially, coali-
detained by the USS MASON. The link the Red Sea but failed to cause any tion units, or will downgrade or even suspend
between Houthis and Somali pirates damage or casualties, according to their attacks, considering the latest deadly
remains unclear. the U.S. Navy. clash and the warning Joint Statement.

32 MINERVA IN FOCUS – ISSUE 26 / Q4 2023