The potential for Yemeni missiles to intensify the Israel-Gaza conflict

An incident that occurred last Sunday in the Red Sea could potentially escalate the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The US Central Command reported that Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen attacked three commercial ships with explosive drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles. While the US Navy managed to intercept and destroy some of the drones, others caused damage but no casualties. The Pentagon stated that these attacks pose a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security and believe that Iran enabled the attacks. The attacks took place near the Bab El Mandeb Strait, a crucial channel through which 10% of global trade and around 17,000 ships pass each year. Any ship heading south from the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean must go through this strait, which is close to the Yemeni coast. The rebels responsible for the attacks, known as the Houthis, control most of Yemen, including its Red Sea coast. The Houthis have received support from Iran, which has provided them with weapons, training, and technology, similar to their support for Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis overthrew the legitimate Yemeni government, leading to a devastating civil war. Iran supports the Houthis, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with backing from the US and UK, launched an unsuccessful military campaign to restore the internationally recognized government. Throughout this war, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones at targets in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and even within Yemen itself. Following the recent Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, the Houthis expressed their support and launched missiles and drones towards Israel, which were intercepted by the US Navy. In addition to targeting Israel, the Houthis have also attacked ships that they suspect have Israeli connections. In November, they seized a cargo ship called the Galaxy Leader by landing troops on its deck. They have vowed to prevent any Israeli vessels from passing their coast and claimed that the ships they attacked last Sunday were Israeli. Israel's military denies any connection with the ships, although media reports suggest some private commercial links with Israeli businessmen. The US is currently considering its response to these attacks and coordinating with allies and partners. However, escalating tensions in an already fragile region is undesirable. If the Houthis continue to launch missiles beyond their borders, the US may choose to target the missile launch sites, which could prompt Iran to retaliate. This could potentially lead to a direct conflict between Iran and the US, a scenario both sides wish to avoid at the moment.