In a concerning escalation of hostilities, Houthi rebels in Yemen have fired ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial drones into the Southern Red Sea, posing a threat to international shipping. Despite these aggressive actions, no vessels have reported being directly impacted by the ballistic missiles.

According to reports from Naval News, on December 23, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the international shipping lanes of the Southern Red Sea. Fortunately, no ships were hit by these missiles, avoiding any potential damage or injuries among the sailors and crew members.

Amidst these attacks, the USS LABOON (DDG 58) was patrolling the Southern Red Sea as part of Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN (OPG) on December 23 between 3 and 8 p.m. (Sanaa time). During this time, the ship successfully intercepted and shot down four unmanned aerial drones that were inbound to the USS LABOON. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries or damages resulting from this particular incident.

However, as tensions escalated, two commercial ships in the Southern Red Sea were targeted by Houthi rebels. The M/V BLAAMANEN, a Norwegian-flagged chemical/oil tanker, reported a near miss by a Houthi one-way attack drone, which fortunately did not lead to any injuries or damage. On the other hand, the M/V SAIBABA, a Gabon-owned, Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, reported being hit by a one-way attack drone. Although no injuries were reported, the incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by commercial vessels in the region.

The US Navy has been actively countering Houthi threats against commercial shipping in coordination with the French Navy (Marine Nationale) and the UK Royal Navy. Ships from these navies have conducted defensive operations to safeguard maritime trade routes. Notably, the US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney has been at the forefront, engaging multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in recent weeks.

In response to the continued Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, the US Navy has established Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN under the existing Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153) construct. CTF 153 operates as an at-sea command and is supported by CMF staff based in Bahrain.

As 'Prosperity Guardian' comes into effect, it aims to provide a focused effort to protect commercial shipping from Houthi attacks. The task force will operate under national mandates, with ships from different countries playing a vital role in defending against these threats.

While no casualties or significant damage have been reported thus far, the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea remain a cause for concern. With the establishment of Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN, the international naval forces are determined to maintain a robust presence and protect the freedom of navigation in this critical maritime area.

The incidents on December 23 mark the 14th and 15th attacks carried out by Houthi militants against commercial shipping since October 17, emphasizing the ongoing risks faced by vessels navigating the Red Sea. International efforts will continue to counter these threats and ensure the safety and security of maritime trade in the region.

(Word count: 499)