Houthi Attack Fails One Day After 'Final Warning' from the U.S. and Allies

Just one day after the deadline set by the United States and its allies for Houthi rebels to cease attacks in the Red Sea, the Iran-backed group attempted an unsuccessful drone attack in the Red Sea on Thursday, January 4. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain, stated that the Houthi bomb-laden drone did not come close enough to U.S. naval forces or commercial vessels to cause any damage. According to him, the Houthis have conducted 25 attacks against commercial vessels passing through the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Admiral Cooper reiterated that there are no signs of the Houthis' willingness to end this irresponsible behavior. He mentioned regarding the Houthi drone, "It came within a few miles of active ships in the area -- commercial vessels and U.S. Navy ships -- and we all witnessed its explosion." The latest incident of the Iran-backed Houthis' adventures in the Red Sea comes just one day after the United States, Britain, and several other allies issued a "final warning" to the group, demanding that they either immediately stop attacks on international vessels in the Red Sea or be prepared to face the consequences of their actions. In a statement prepared and endorsed by over ten countries, it was stated: "The ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and deeply destabilizing. If the Houthis continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free flow of trade in vital waterways in the region, they will face consequences." British Foreign Secretary David Cameron warned on Thursday, January 4, that if attacks on ships in the Red Sea do not cease, international action will be taken. Cameron stated, "If these illegal and unacceptable attacks on ships continue, the world economy, the economies of all countries, will be harmed." The Houthi attacks have impacted the global economy, as most oil tankers and container ships are still avoiding the Red Sea route and are opting for the longer route around southern Africa. On Tuesday, Danish shipping company Maersk announced that its ships would not pass through the Red Sea for at least another week. Nearly 15% of global maritime trade passes through the Red Sea, including 8% of global grain trade, 12% of maritime oil trade, and 8% of the world's liquefied natural gas trade. The Houthi movement is a political and armed movement of Shia Muslims in Yemen that emerged in the 1990s in northwestern Yemen. Houthi fighters overthrew the legitimate Yemeni government in 2014, prompting Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to launch military operations against the rebels. The Iran-backed Houthis currently control Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, and parts of its northern regions, temporarily designating the city of Aden as their capital. The Houthis are now listed as terrorist groups by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia. The Security Council condemned the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and called for their cessation. The International Maritime Organization condemned the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The Houthi attack on another cargo ship; CENTCOM: No damage reported. Major shipping companies continue to avoid passing through the Red Sea, leading to a significant increase in delivery costs. The Islamic Republic's continued adventures in the region's waters; the "Alborz" destroyer has entered the Red Sea. The British Defense Minister stated: We are ready to attack Houthi rebels in Yemen. Houthi missile attacks prompted a response from two U.S. warships. The continuation of Houthi attacks on ships; Maersk halted passage through the Red Sea for 48 hours. The U.S. sanctioned one individual and three entities facilitating financial assistance to the Houthis from the Islamic Republic. With concerns about disruptions in the Red Sea route decreasing, oil prices have fallen. Several explosions occurred along the shipping route in the Red Sea near the shores of Yemen.