In a concerning development, Houthi rebels have launched an unmanned surface drone against commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea. This marks the first time the Houthis have employed this type of weapon since the onset of the conflict in Gaza. The attack occurred early Thursday morning and comes amidst ongoing assaults on merchant vessels in the region.

According to Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, the unmanned surface vessel (USV) traveled from Yemen into international shipping lanes with the clear intention to cause harm. Fortunately, the USV exploded without causing damage to any ships or injuries to crews.

This incident represents the 25th Houthi attack on ships in the Red Sea since November 18th. Despite international efforts to curb these assaults, Vice Admiral Cooper stated that there is no indication of the attacks abating. As a result, the United States has initiated the formation of a multinational coalition aimed at defending the crucial shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait.

There are growing concerns that these Houthi attacks, increasingly seen as an Iranian-backed initiative, could escalate the conflict and trigger a wider regional confrontation. Major shipping and oil companies are already avoiding the affected area, leading to fears about the potential impact on the global economy.

To combat these attacks, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently announced the commencement of Operation Prosperity Guardian. The multinational coalition currently consists of 22 countries and is expected to expand further. Since the operation's launch, 19 drones and missiles launched from Houthi territory have been successfully intercepted, and three Houthi small boats have been destroyed.

Vice Admiral Cooper stressed the urgent need for an ongoing maritime presence in the Red Sea due to the frequency and intensity of the Houthi attacks. Currently, there are five warships from different nations, as well as manned and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and fighter jets deployed in and around the region.

The Houthis initially claimed that they were targeting ships with ties to Israel as a show of support for the Palestinian people during the Gaza conflict. However, Vice Admiral Cooper emphasized that most recent attacks have had no connection to Israel whatsoever, despite drawing more nations into the situation.

The impact of these attacks extends to 55 nations that have direct connections to the targeted vessels, including through flagging state, crew nationality, ship origins and destinations, and vessel ownership. Consequently, Vice Admiral Cooper reiterated the need for an international solution to address this global problem.

While there is no specific information indicating that US warships have been directly targeted, Vice Admiral Cooper acknowledged that many attacks have occurred in close proximity to American vessels. As a precautionary measure, US ships take defensive actions to protect themselves and the commercial ships operating in the area.

In response to the threat posed to shipping, the Navy has been in constant communication with commercial vessels as they transit the Red Sea. Efforts are being made to provide advice on best practices regarding when and where to transit, as well as how to communicate effectively with naval forces. Despite these measures, some of the world's largest shipping companies have opted to avoid the critical waterway due to security concerns.

When queried about the presence of an Iranian warship in the southern Red Sea, Vice Admiral Cooper stated that it does not currently raise significant concerns. The vessel has been a regular fixture in the area for the past three years and poses minimal additional threat.

As the Houthi attacks persist and the safety of shipping in the Red Sea remains in question, the international community must work collectively to find a lasting resolution to this escalating maritime crisis.