On Dec. 3, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Carney shot down three drones deployed by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels as the aircraft conducted ballistic missile attacks directed toward three commercial ships in the Red Sea. The attacks took place in international waters and the three vessels were connected to 14 separate nations, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. “These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security,” reads the statement from CENTCOM. “They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world.” Yemen’s Houthi rebels have vowed to attack maritime vessels they believe are connected to Israel in retaliation for what Houthi spokesman Yahya Sare’e claims is Israel’s “brutal aggression on Gaza" following the deadly Oct. 7 attack carried out by Hamas. Through Sare’e, the Houthis claimed responsibility for two of the attacks. “We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran,” CENTCOM continued. “The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.” White House spokesman Jake Sullivan says that the Biden administration is building a coalition that will take “appropriate action” in response to the latest drone and missile attacks. "We have made clear that the entire world needs to step up together, not the U.S. alone, but all of us working together to deal with this emerging challenge that the Houthis present, backed by Iran. We're going to take appropriate action in consultation with others and we will do so at a time and place of our choosing,” Sullivan told reporters. Continued Houthi attacks could impede the movement of vessels along one of the world’s most vital shipping corridors, potentially impacting global trade. About 8.8 million barrels of oil are shipped through the Red Sea and the straits of the Bab al-Mandab, which are within range of Houthi weaponry.The White House says it is in discussion with allies over how to respond to multiple Houthi missile attacks that took place over the weekend.
