The US aircraft carrier Dwight D Eisenhower, also known as Ike, recently passed through the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea on its way to the Gulf Region. Along the route, it joined forces with USS Ford and its carrier battle group in the Eastern Mediterranean for training and a photo opportunity. While it cannot be confirmed that this show of naval power has directly influenced Hezbollah’s relative quietness in recent weeks, it is likely to have had an impact on their thinking. This display of deterrence is seen as a positive development, especially considering the ongoing tensions in Gaza.
Despite the relative calm, there is still one Iranian-backed terrorist group, the Houthis, that remains active in the region. The Houthis seized control of Yemen’s government in 2014, leading to a prolonged conflict with Saudi Arabia and its allies. While progress has been made in talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, mediated by China, the Houthis have continued to launch missile attacks on Israel. The US and Israeli navies have had to station destroyers and corvettes in the area to intercept these missile firings.
Efforts by Saudi Arabia and the US to prevent Iranian-supplied arms from entering Yemen have not been entirely successful, as the Houthis continue to move and fire these weapons undetected. However, this may soon change. The fact that the Ike has not yet appeared in the Gulf of Aden suggests that it and its task group are spending time in the Red Sea. This area, particularly between Yemen and Eritrea/Djibouti, is known for its dangers, including Houthi missile threats and small boats engaged in various activities, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe.
There are several reasons why a Western naval vessel might stay in the Red Sea, including interoperability exercises with other ships, presence and reassurance operations for Saudi Arabia, and shaping operations to ensure safe passage through the Bab El Mandeb. However, it is also possible that the US is taking action against the Houthis to prevent further missile launches. Recent reports indicate that a US submarine carrying Tomahawk cruise missiles has transited the Suez Canal, suggesting a potential operation against the Houthis.
The Houthis have been a significant irritant in the region, not only for Saudi Arabia and Israel but also for international shipping passing through the Bab-el-Mandeb. The US has a carrier group in the Red Sea, along with a Marine Expeditionary Unit and possibly SEAL teams, as well as an arsenal of land-attack weaponry. The Houthis’ recent actions, including shooting down a US drone, indicate that the US may be considering taking action against them.
It remains to be seen whether the US will engage directly with the Houthis or continue its mission to deter Iran by joining forces with other countries in the Gulf of Oman. The US Navy offers a wide range of capabilities and options to policymakers, and time will reveal the course of action they choose to take.
