In a significant escalation of their aggressive campaign in the Red Sea, Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels launched a missile on Friday at a U.S. warship, the USS Carney, patrolling the Gulf of Aden. The missile was successfully intercepted by the Carney, resulting in no damage or injuries. This marked the first direct attack on a U.S. warship since the rebels began their assaults on shipping in October.

The anti-ship ballistic missile was fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen towards the USS Carney at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Central Command. The Houthis also targeted a British vessel, the M/V Marlin Luanda, later in the evening, causing damages but no reported injuries.

Although the Houthi military spokesman did not acknowledge the attack on the USS Carney, they claimed responsibility for the missile attack on the Marlin Luanda. The vessel, which is British-owned but flies under a Marshall Islands flag, was left ablaze following the strike. The USS Carney, along with other coalition ships, immediately responded to render assistance.

The series of attacks on maritime traffic in the Red Sea have disrupted global trade, with Houthi rebels specifically targeting ships in retaliation for Israel's offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Since November, vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel have been targeted, endangering the important route between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

In an effort to degrade the capabilities of the Houthis, the U.S. military has been conducting airstrikes against the rebel group since January 11. These airstrikes have included hitting a range of targets, such as storage sites and radar capabilities, as well as preemptive strikes on Houthi missiles being loaded onto launchers. However, despite these efforts, the attacks from the rebels have continued.

Friday's assault on the USS Carney highlights the increasing aggression of the Houthis, and experts argue that it is significant for the U.S. to acknowledge it as a direct attack on their forces. Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, emphasized the importance of not downplaying the threat posed by the Houthis, as it inadvertently emboldens them.

The U.S. Navy's top commander in the Middle East has compared the recent Houthi attacks to the Tanker War of the 1980s, the conflict that saw a one-day naval battle between the U.S. and Iran. It is crucial for the international community to address the escalating situation and prevent further destabilization in the region.

As the confrontation between the Houthi rebels and maritime traffic intensifies, concerns are growing about the potential for a wider regional war. The U.S. has been cautious in its response, aiming to prevent a broader conflict, but some experts argue that such tempered language and actions have inadvertently emboldened the Houthis.

The international community must work together to ensure the safety of maritime traffic in the Red Sea and find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has now spilled over into attacks on crucial shipping lanes.